Heat advisories that continued to affect most of British Columbia on Tuesday are expected to last until Saturday.
Environment Canada says a strong ridge of high pressure is responsible for this week’s heat wave, with daytime temperatures expected to peak between Wednesday and Friday.
According to the federal agency, daytime high temperatures in Metro Vancouver will range from 31 to 35 degrees inland and 25 to 29 degrees near the water.
Temperatures are even higher in BC Interior. In the Okanagan, South Thompson and Kootenays, daytime temperatures could reach 40 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures in northern BC, including Prince George, Cariboo and Bulkley Valley, are expected to be slightly cooler, with highs of 34C.
Interior Health medical officer of health Dr Silvena Mema said on Monday the health authority is working closely with its partners to ensure vulnerable populations in the authority’s jurisdiction have great space to stay -se, and has also studied the possibility of building an inventory of cool places for people to find relief from the heat.
Kelowna Deputy Fire Chief Sandra Follack, who is also the Central Okanagan Regional District Emergency Program Coordinator, says the City of Kelowna is still waiting on demand for the cooling centers before deciding to open them. not
“People have the ability to go to … water parks, find cool off areas, go to the beach when emergencies come through Interior Health,” he told CBC’s Daybreak South. “When they identify that we should open the cooling centers because the need is greater, then we will post the opening notices.”
People swim and sunbathe at Tugboat Beach in Kelowna, BC on July 17. Kelowna Deputy Fire Chief Sandra Follack says people can go to the beach or water parks to cool off during the hot weather. (Winston Szeto/CBC)
Linda Stride, the recreation, health and wellness supervisor for the city of Kamloops, says the city has used the Sandman Center’s athletic facilities as a cooling center. He also agrees that people can go to a beach or a water park to get relief from the heat.
“We just want to remind our citizens that even going to a park or a water park, [or] going to parks that have trees that seek shelter in those areas, it’s better than staying at home if you don’t have air conditioning,” he told CBC’s Daybreak Kamloops.
Environment Canada says the hottest time of day will be late afternoon to early evening, with the coolest time of day near sunrise.
CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe says Tuesday the humidity could make it feel like 40 C in parts of Metro Vancouver.
A dangerous situation this week. several degrees warmer today than yesterday. The humidity could make it feel like 40 today in parts of the metro https://t.co/aXCHjBuqx6
—@JWagstaffe
Environment Canada data shows Vancouver recorded 77 per cent relative humidity on Tuesday, compared to 32 per cent in Kelowna, 33 per cent in Kamloops and 52 per cent in Prince George.
The federal agency says the risks of heat-related illness are higher for young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. Advise people to watch for signs of heat illness, such as rashes, cramps and fainting.
Kim Dixon, the executive director of the nonprofit James Bay New Horizons, is asking people to check in with their neighbors more often, especially those who are elderly.
“See if they need anything; if you go to the store, get them out. Even a glass of ice water with fresh ice cubes in lemon, or even lemonade or iced tea,” she told On The from CBC. island “Take the time to get to know your neighbors and check in on them in a friendly way.”