‘Moderate risk’: Warnings issued as B.C. braces for incoming heat wave
Global News
Environment Canada says the heat poses a 'moderate risk' to public health before the forecast returns to more seasonal temperatures later next week.
Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for parts of Vancouver Island and inland sections of coastal British Columbia as the province braces for a heat wave.
The weather agency says a high-pressure ridge building over the West Coast will bring “very high temperatures” starting Friday and stretching into next week.
The first series of warnings spans eastern Vancouver Island, including Courtenay, Campbell River, Duncan, Nanaimo, Fanny Bay and other nearby communities.
The bulletin says daytime highs are expected to hit the low 30s C in those areas with nighttime lows of around 16 C.
Another warning covers inland sections of the north and central coast, including Kitimat and Terrace, where the weather agency says daytime temperatures near 30 C are expected to persist from Saturday until Tuesday night.
Environment Canada says the heat poses a “moderate risk” to public health before the forecast returns to more seasonal temperatures later next week.
“Right now, it looks like (next) Wednesday is the day for a change in the airmass,” said Armel Castellan, a warning preparedness meteorologist with the agency.
He said the province is divided into five regions based on their typical climatology, and each region is subject to different criteria for triggering a heat warning.
