Close X
Thursday, November 14, 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

Two missing hikers found dead in Crowsnest Pass in Rocky Mountains: Alberta RCMP

Two missing hikers found dead in Crowsnest Pass in Rocky Mountains: Alberta RCMP
Mounties say two Alberta hikers have been found dead at the bottom of a ridge at Mount Coulthard, a summit in the Rocky Mountains. RCMP were informed Wednesday night that the two hikers who were making their way along the North York Creek Plane Crash Trail, outside Coleman, Alta., had not returned when planned. 

Two missing hikers found dead in Crowsnest Pass in Rocky Mountains: Alberta RCMP

Growth in Canadian economy in May

Growth in Canadian economy in May
Statistics Canada says the energy sector was down 2.1 per cent in May -- its first decline in five months and its largest since August 2020.  Canada's record-breaking wildfire season led many mining and oil and gas companies to reduce their operations in Alberta.  

Growth in Canadian economy in May

Province wants feedback on ride hailing, taxi

Province wants feedback on ride hailing, taxi
The B-C government says it wants to hear from British Columbians about taxi and ride-hailing services in the province. The province says it's holding a public meeting in the fall as a special committee is set to review so-called passenger-directed vehicles that come under the Passenger Transportation Act.   

Province wants feedback on ride hailing, taxi

Street expansion coming for Surrey

Street expansion coming for Surrey
City council in Surrey has awarded a contract for designing the widening of 132nd Street between 72nd Avenue to 80th Avenue. The city says in a news release that the expansion to four lanes aims to improve traffic and safety.

Street expansion coming for Surrey

Shooting in Richmond leaves one dead

Shooting in Richmond leaves one dead
A shooting in Richmond  has left one man dead, and police are investigating whether a nearby car fire is related to the case. Richmond RCMP were called to Milner Road at Blundell Road at 5:45 p.m. Thursday for reports of a shooting.  

Shooting in Richmond leaves one dead

3 arrested in Surrey SkyTrain attack

3 arrested in Surrey SkyTrain attack
Surrey transit police say the investigation of an attack on three men near a Surrey SkyTrain station has led to three arrests. Police say the alleged unprovoked stabbing attack on three men happened the evening of June 21st.  

3 arrested in Surrey SkyTrain attack