Heat warning now in effect for parts of Vancouver Island
Environment Canada has upgraded its special weather statement to a formal warning as unseasonably high temperatures are expected to reach parts of Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and southern Gulf Islands.
The heat warning covers eastern Vancouver Island from Campbell River to Courtney, Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay.
From Wednesday morning until Sunday, daytime high temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees, with nighttime lows in the mid to upper teens. Cooler temperatures are expected to move into the region on Sunday.
The rest of the island, including Greater Victoria, remains under a special weather statement Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach into the high-20s near the water and low-30s inland, while overnight lows rise into the high teens.
The weather service is advising residents to watch for signs of heat illnesses, including rashes, cramps, swelling, fainting and the worsening of some health conditions.
“The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors,” Environment Canada said in a statement Wednesday. “Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.”
People are reminded to never leave pets inside parked vehicles.
"Extreme heat is dangerous and can have devastating and deadly consequences," B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a statement Wednesday.
"Health authorities and BC Emergency Health Services are preparing to assist people in need during the heat wave," Dix said. "British Columbians must also make any necessary preparations ahead of time and take steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones."
Forecasters say conditions will not be as hot as late June, when temperature records shattered across Western Canada and the BC Coroners Service determined sweltering conditions caused hundreds of deaths.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Powerful tornado tears across Nebraska, weather service warns of 'catastrophic' damage
Devastating tornadoes tore across parts of eastern Nebraska and northeast Texas Friday as a multi-day severe thunderstorm event ramped up in the central United States.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.