Environment Canada this afternoon (July 26) issued a heat warning in effect for the Cranbrook and Kimberley areas, as a heat wave impacts British Columbia this week.

Daytime high temperatures are expected between 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, and early morning low temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius from now to Saturday.

The heat warning covers East Kootenay – south including Cranbrook and West Columbia, West Kootenay, Kootenay Lake, Arrow Lakes – Slocan Lake, Boundary, Okanagan Valley, Similkameen, Fraser Canyon, Nicola, South Thompson and Shuswap regions.

The heat warning does not include the Elk Valley, Columbia Valley or Kootenay National Park areas, at this time.

“A strong ridge of high pressure will bring a heat wave to British Columbia this week. The peak daytime high temperatures are expected from Wednesday to Friday. Then, a slow cooling trend is likely this weekend to early next week,” Environment Canada reported.

The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening. The coolest time of the day will be near the sunrise.

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.

To get more information:
– Check the local news for health and safety updates.
– Check HealthLinkBC online resources about heat-related illness and how to protect yourself at www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/heat-related-illness.
– Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to ask about heat-related illness.

Environment Canada and local Medical Health Officers expect an increase in health and safety risks from heat and are advising the public to take precautions.

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e-KNOW

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