Forecast heat wave prompts warning for people to be prepared

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Hot desert air moving into the Southern Interior this weekend is behind a Special Weather Statement warning people to get ready.

Record breaking high temperatures of 40 Celsius are forecast for Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, in the South Thompson, Nicola and South Okanagan.

In the statement, issued today, June 25, by Environment Canada, meteorologists say those kinds of temperatures are 15 degrees above normal for this time of year.

The mercury is forecast to climb as high as 39 C this weekend in the Central and North Okanagan, although the region isn’t included in the weather statement.

The heat is expected to break at the beginning of next week when a weak weather disturbance creates the potential for scattered thunderstorms.

The respite will be brief with forecasters calling for hot weather through Canada Day on July 1.

“Hot temperatures can be dangerous especially if you have heart problems and breathing difficulties,” according to an Environment Canada media release. “Be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness.”

People are being advised to drink plenty of fluids and drink extra water even before they feel thirsty, the release says. Older adults and children need to be checked regularly for signs of heat-related illness and make sure they are keeping cool and drinking plenty of fluids.

For more information on heat-related illness go to the HealthLink B.C. website.

For the very latest forecasts and weather warnings, check on Environment Canada’s website.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.