Weather Alert in effect: North Okanagan including Vernon

July 22nd, 2024

View the alert on the Government of Canada website: https://weather.gc.ca/index_e.html?layers=alert,&zoom=1&center=61.72560261,-105.59630241

This is a heat warning. Elevated temperatures are expected and there is a moderate risk to public health.

Where: Southern BC Interior.

When: Hot conditions continue today.

What: Daytime highs in the mid to high 30s and overnight lows in the mid to high teens.

Remarks: An extended period of high temperatures will continue as a ridge of high pressure remains over the region. As the ridge shifts eastward, a gradually cooling trend is expected beginning tonight with daytime high temperatures lowering below warning criteria on Tuesday.

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.

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 early signs of heat illness (feeling unwell, fatigue, thirst, headache, unusually dark urine) as these can rapidly evolve into life-threatening emergencies.

Move to a cooler environment immediately, such as a shaded or air-conditioned space.

Drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

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 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.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #BCStorm.