It’s going to get hot; heat warning issued for Okanagan, Kamloops

With high daily temperatures well above 30 Celsius for at least the next week, heat warnings have been issued for much of B.C., including Kamloops and the Okanagan.

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

Highs are forecast to reach 34 C today, July 25, throughout the region, climbing to 37 C in the Okanagan on Thursday and 39 C in Kamloops before easing of, but only slightly, to 36-37 C on Sunday.

After some clearing today there’s nothing but sunshine in the forecast for at least the next week.

The heat warning covers most of B.C. except for the East Kootenays, far north and parts of the West Coast.

“Extreme heat affects everyone,” the warning says. “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.”

People can phone HealthLink at 8-1-1 or check out their webpage, here, for more information about heat related illness.

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