Residents in Metro Vancouver, much of southern B.C. and Vancouver Island should prepare for hot weather over the next two days, according to Environment Canada.
Heat advisories have been issued for regions including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, adding to warnings for east and inland Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, Whistler and Pemberton in the Sea-to-Sky region, as well as the Fraser Canyon, South Thompson, South Okanagan and North Thompson.
Daytime temperatures could reach 33 C in certain areas of Metro Vancouver, according to the Environment Canada alert, with overnight lows near 17 C.
Some areas near the water and the southwestern section of Metro Vancouver will “likely get a reprieve from the heat,” added the alert.
In the Fraser Canyon, South Thompson and South Okanagan, Environment Canada said temperatures could near 35 C, while coastal areas including the Island, Whistler and Pemberton could reach 30 C.
Environment Canada expects the temperatures for all regions to cool down on Wednesday.
How to beat the heat
Some Metro Vancouver municipalities are opening up cooling centres to support residents.
Many community centres and libraries in Vancouver become cooling centres during heat warnings. The city provides a map of facilities that have air conditioning, along with wading pools, spray parks and misting stations.
The City of Burnaby has opened four cooling centres from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Burnaby’s centres are air-conditioned and have seating, drinking water, washrooms and free Wi-Fi.
Other municipalities, including Port Coquitlam and the City of North Vancouver, have also invited residents to cool off in their air-conditioned community centres.
WorkSafeBC has reminded Lower Mainland employers to keep their workers safe in the heat.
WorkSafeBC accepted 315 heat-related injury claims between 2020 and 2024, with the highest numbers in transportation, public works, construction, food services, and film and television production, according to a news release.
Dr. Maulik Baxi, a medical health officer at the Fraser Health Authority, advised British Columbians and travellers to be aware of the heat warnings around the province.
“We know that it is summer, it’s vacation time in schools, lots of people will be travelling,” Baxi said. “So while it may not be affecting where you live, it may be affecting where you go. And so be aware.”
Baxi advised people to check on vulnerable people who may be more at risk of getting a heat-prone illness, such as young infants, seniors, pregnant people and anyone with disabilities.
People should avoid the heat of the day as much as possible, and stay cool by opening windows at night, when heat can build up inside homes, he said.
“Be a good neighbour, you know, and take care of one another.”
Environment Canada said heat affects everyone but added the risks are greater for seniors, people who live alone, people with certain pre-existing health conditions or mental illness, people with substance use disorders and 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.”
The forecaster also warned to check for early signs of heat illness, which include feeling unwell, fatigue, thirst, headache, or unusually dark urine, which can “rapidly evolve into life-threatening emergencies.”
If that happens, move to a cooler environment immediately, Environment Canada said.
“Drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.”