Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Heat wave spreads from B.C.'s south coast to southern, central Interior

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Aug, 2023 09:34 AM
  • Heat wave spreads from B.C.'s south coast to southern, central Interior

Health authorities and local and provincial governments across British Columbia are urging caution as a sweltering heat wave that began on the south coast this weekend has now prompted 41 warnings or special weather statements across the southern and central Interior.

Environment Canada says temperatures in several areas, from the Boundary and Okanagan to parts of the North Thompson and Kootenay were expected to see highs of 39 C though the day.

Kamloops and sections of the south coast, including Chilliwack, Nanaimo and parts of Metro Vancouver, were not forecast to reach those highs on Monday, but the weather office says that with humidity, the areas could feel like they are also nudging 38 or 39 C.

As the heat arrived on the south coast, Environment Canada says seven record highs were set Sunday across of province.

A high of 37.8 C was registered in the Hope area in the eastern Fraser Valley, breaking a 13-year-old record by three degrees.

Other highs included 35.2 C set in Agassiz, two degrees hotter than the previous record set in 2010, while the Malahat area of southern Vancouver Island reached 33.2 degrees, one-tenth of a degree hotter than the old record set in 2021.

The province's hottest temperature yesterday was recorded near Lytton, at 39.8 C, breaking a 2007 record.

Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health say temperatures are a key factor in determining health risks, noting that it can take hours for people's bodies to cool and for physiological strain to decrease after high temperatures occur.

Environment Canada expects heat warnings and special weather statements will be posted across the southern half of B.C. for most of this week as well above-seasonal daytime temperatures combined with elevated overnight temperatures will offer little relief from the heat.

Cooling centres have opened in many areas, including Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Kamloops and Osoyoos, and EmergencyInfoBC says a total of 147 centres are available around the province.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has said a repeat of the 2021 heat dome, which claimed more than 600 lives, is not in the forecast but is warning people to take precautions to stay out of the heat, drink water and limit activity.

MORE National ARTICLES

Fundraiser honours firefighter who died in B.C.

Fundraiser honours firefighter who died in B.C.
A fundraiser has been launched to honour the memory of a firefighter killed while fighting British Columbia's largest wildfire last week. The 25-year-old firefighter who died Friday has been identified as Zak Muise in an online obituary and tribute by the firefighting contractor he worked for.

Fundraiser honours firefighter who died in B.C.

Feds say 6.6 million 'unsafe vehicles' on the road

Feds say 6.6 million 'unsafe vehicles' on the road
Transport Canada estimated in an analysis from June that one in five of the 33.3 million vehicles registered as of 2019 have outstanding recalls but continue to ply the streets and highways, potentially endangering occupants and other road users.

Feds say 6.6 million 'unsafe vehicles' on the road

Properties destroyed as latest B.C. wildfire flares, forcing urgent evacuations

Properties destroyed as latest B.C. wildfire flares, forcing urgent evacuations
An evacuation order covering the more than 200 properties around the lake was issued Tuesday and quickly upgraded to critical, urging the many seasonal and handful of permanent residents to leave for Lillooet or Whistler.

Properties destroyed as latest B.C. wildfire flares, forcing urgent evacuations

Vancouver home prices rose slightly from June to July

Vancouver home prices rose slightly from June to July
Home prices in the Greater Vancouver Area rose slightly between June and July to just over 1.2-million-dollars. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says that was due to strong sales figures and few listed homes.

Vancouver home prices rose slightly from June to July

Trudeaus announce separation after 18 years of marriage

Trudeaus announce separation after 18 years of marriage
The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement the couple have signed a separation agreement "to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward."

Trudeaus announce separation after 18 years of marriage

External review found military's COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Charter of Rights

External review found military's COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Charter of Rights
The Military Grievances External Review Committee reviews grievances that are referred to it by the chief of defence staff, and provides the chief with non-binding findings and recommendations. The vaccine policy required Canadian Armed Forces members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face release.

External review found military's COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Charter of Rights