By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
A Heat Warning from Environment Canada issued on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. is in effect for two locations in the BC Interior – the Southern Okanagan along with the Lytton, Lillooet and Kamloops area.
Temperatures are forecast to be “very high” – reaching 35-39°C combined with overnight lows near 18°C – which poses a moderate risk to public health, the heat warning reads. The Heat Warning has been issued in part because the night time lows are forecast to remain in the upper teens.
A ridge of high pressure anchored over BC is bringing very high temperatures to the region this week with cloud cover Tuesday night keeping temperatures elevated, offering little relief overnight and into Wednesday morning, according to Environment Canada. A gradual cooling trend is expected at the end of this week.
“Heat affects everyone, but the risks are greater for: seniors, people who live alone, people with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease, people with mental illness such as schizophrenia, depression, or anxiety, people with substance use disorders, people with limited mobility.”
The weather department urges people to check on family, friends and neighbours, who are at higher risk, particularly if they live alone, to make sure they have a cool space.
Watch for the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.
For more information visit: Health Canada – How to protect yourself and Health Canada – Who is at risk.
