Update 5PM – Heat Warning Issued by Environment Canada
Due to the expected long stretch of heat, EC has released a Heat Warning. Below are the details.
3:45 PM PDT Monday 23 July 2018
Heat Warning in effect for:
- Inland Vancouver Island
Temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius are expected.
Extended Spell of Summer Heat over the South Coast…
A prolonged stretch of above normal temperatures is expected for the
South Coast as a ridge of high pressure is anchored offshore. This
period of hot weather is expected to persist into early next week or
longer.Environment and Climate Change Canada, in conjunction with Medical
Health Officials, have issued this alert due to the persistent high
daytime temperatures, warm overnight low temperatures and the
extended duration of this warm period.Maximum temperatures near the water will peak in the mid to high
twenties each day, while inland temperatures soar into low to mid
thirties. Overnight relief will be limited with low temperatures in
the mid teens. Temperatures are also expected to increase slightly by
the weekend. While these temperatures are not out of the ordinary
for this time of the year, this is the first extended period of heat
this summer.Environment and Climate Change Canada and Medical Health Officers are
reminding people to take precautions to protect themselves from the
heat, including:– Stay hydrated by drinking cold beverages, preferably water.
– Spend time in an air-conditioned facility for at least
several hours every day.
– Avoid sunburn by staying in the shade and using sunscreen with spf
30 or more.
– Never leave people or pets in a parked car.Extreme heat affects everyone.
The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.
Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. If you feel dizzy or disoriented seek medical attention. Call 911 or your local emergency number. If someone has a high temperature and is unconscious or confused or has stopped sweating. Cool the person right away.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Get informed
– Check the local news for health and safety updates.
– For more information on heat-related illness, call HealthLinkBC at 811.
– Contact your local government to find out what services (such as air-conditioned buildings and public splash parks) are available in your area.Environment Canada and the Lower Mainland Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.
Also, the fire danger has now been upgraded to extreme. Here is todays Fire Danger rating map.
Expect more parts of the Island to go to extreme in the coming days.
Original post…
I don’t know how many times since 2005 I have seen the 7 day forecast have a sweep of predicted 30+°C highs, but I know it isn’t often.
The heat is expected to peak at 35°C on Wednesday and then back off to the low 30s through to next Monday.
Beyond that toward BC Day weekend it does look like the “Omega” high pattern that we are in is expected to break down and allow temperatures to dip down to the 15-20°C high range with a slight chance of showers.
But that is still a ways out there. In the meantime, the Fire Danger rating is expected to move from High to Extreme on Monday or Tuesday in Port Alberni and other Island regions that are currently at high so please be careful in the backcountry.
The Taylor Arm Provincial Park fire is now listed as “under control”and remains at 1 hectare. It was fought by the Sproat Lake and Beaver Creek fire departments as well as one fire retardant air tanker and a group of 4 skimmers from BCWS. I believe it is now being taken care of by BCWS ground crews.
Happy Monday!
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