An extreme heat wave has taken effect across B.C., with officials warning to take caution in the dangerous weather.
Environment Canada issued the warning Friday afternoon, impacting all of central B.C., the Lower Mainland and the southern Vancouver Island. The heat is expected to stick around until Wednesday.
Temperatures are expected to reach 29 C to 36 C in places such as the Chilcotin and other central-northern cities, and as high as 35 C to 40 C in the Kootenays, Fraser Valley and Greater Victoria.
Meanwhile, the federal weather agency is forecasting overnight lows of 20 C to 25 C.
“The duration of this heat wave is concerning as there is little relief at night with elevated overnight temperatures,” the national weather centre says.
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“This record-breaking heat event will increase the potential for heat-related illnesses and increase the risk of wildfires due to drought conditions.”
Health officials are reminding people to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids – water preferred – and to stay out of direct sun for long periods of time.
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Those most at risk of facing adverse impacts from the heat include children and seniors. Watch for the symptoms of heat illness: dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting; rapid breathing and heartbeat; extreme thirst; decreased urination with unusually dark urine.
Do not leave pets or people inside parked vehicles for any duration of time, and bring pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
Dangerously hot ðŸŒ¡ï¸ weather is in store for this weekend! BC will see some of the highest temperatures on record.
Heat Warnings: https://t.co/wk5JIQEdB3#BCStorm @CDCofBC pic.twitter.com/qhSEW0Kpxq
— ECCC Weather British Columbia (@ECCCWeatherBC) June 25, 2021
Cooling centres are opening across parts of the province, with health authorities confirming that no one will be turned away regardless of social distancing.
More tips on staying safe in extreme heat can be found here.
Locations under heat warning:
Okanagan Valley
Similkameen
Fraser Canyon
Metro Vancouver
Nicola
South Thompson
Shuswap
Boundary
Greater Victoria
West Kootenay
Arrow Lakes
Slocan Lake
Kootenay Lake
East Kootenay
Elk Valley
West Columbia
East Columbia
Yoho Park
Kootenay Park
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