Heat warning issued after days of 30-degree temperatures in the Okanagan
With 11 days still to go before the official start of summer, the Okanagan is already sweltering through an early-season heat wave — and forecasters warn there's more to come.
Environment Canada has issued a heat warning after four straight days of temperatures above 30 C.
Officials say the sudden jump in temperatures is especially concerning because people haven't had time to adjust.
'We haven't had time to acclimatize to the heat yet,' said Environment Canada scientist Christy Climenhaga. 'So it can be very notable and it can be dangerous.'
Get daily National news
Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
In Kelowna, the seasonal average is about 23 C during the day and 9 C at night. Right now, temperatures are running roughly 10 degrees above normal.
While Kelowna isn't currently under a heat alert, the city has plans in place, should conditions worsen.
Story continues below advertisement
'If it hits 35 C for two or more days, we move into a heat alert,' said City of Kelowna Risk Manager Lance Kayfish.
'At that point, we activate extra measures, including free transit so people can get to a place to cool down.'
If the extreme heat continues, the city will escalate its response. 'That includes opening four cooling centres across the community,' Kayfish added.
Adding to the concern, much of the province — including the Okanagan — is experiencing below-average rainfall. The BC Wildfire Service says conditions are already dry and could worsen without significant rain.
'We'd need multiple days with 20 to 30 millimetres of rain,' said Neal McLoughlin of BC Wildfire Service.
'That's just not in the forecast right now. So in areas already facing drought, we expect fire activity to be at its greatest.'
A cooldown is expected midweek, but Environment Canada says the rest of the summer will likely bring warmer-than-normal conditions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Crews fighting out-of-control wildfire in Squamish, B.C.
A wildfire in Squamish, B.C., is seen on Monday, June 9. (Courtesy: Squamish Fire Rescue) Crews are fighting a wildfire in Squamish, B.C., that sparked Monday afternoon. Squamish Fire Rescue and B.C. Wildfire Service members are on-scene, and a helicopter is dropping buckets on the blaze. As of about 5:45 p.m., the fire was listed as out of control and 0.5 hectares in size on the BCWS website. It's located just east of Highway 99 between Dowad Drive and Depot Road. The agency suspects the fire was human-caused. The local fire department asked people to avoid the area and told drivers not to stop on the highway to look at the fire. The wildfire comes as an 'early season heat event' moves through southern B.C., which broke daily temperature records in several communities Sunday, including in Squamish. As of Monday evening, there were 85 wildfires burning across B.C., about half of them listed as out of control. Read more: Dry northeast 'region of greatest concern' in B.C.'s wildfire season: officials
CTV News
5 hours ago
- CTV News
‘We can't escape it': Wildfire smoke blanketing Calgary
The familiar sight of wildfire smoke blanketing Calgary has returned for another year, raising concerns about air quality and public health. While current smoke levels are deemed moderate for the general public, those who are at risk or have medical conditions should reduce activity. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the agency advises that individuals without pre-existing health conditions, such as shortness of breath or heart and lung issues, can continue outdoor activities. However, those with such conditions are encouraged to consider rescheduling or reducing the intensity and duration of strenuous outdoor activities. The white haze across Calgary has become a persistent reminder of the ongoing wildfire season for Raf Nazareno and his dog. 'I guess we can't escape it now. And it's coming. And let's hope it's not too bad,' he said. 'I feel like July and August is probably going to be really bad this year.' Nazareno, who prefers cooler weather, says he has seen a noticeable increase in haze over the past few days. 'The last couple (of) days, you look to the horizon like the sky is kind of whitish. And then you see that fog. But you know, it's not really fog. It's the smoke that's coming. It's not too bad yet, but it is increasing the last couple of days,' he said. As of Monday, Alberta was battling 66 active wildfires, with significant blazes in the Grand Prairie region, north of Slave Lake and west of Fort McMurray. Beyond provincial boundaries, smoke is also blowing in from northern British Columbia, while fires rage in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Jed Kaplan, a University of Calgary earth, energy and environment professor, confirmed the intensity of the current fire season. 'I'd say the fire season is definitely off to a big start,' he said. He says a warming climate is creating tinder-dry conditions in boreal areas, making them ripe for ignition. Kaplan researches ways to develop better forest management policies to mitigate the impact of destructive blazes. 'A controlled fire can be a way of avoiding some of these really catastrophic and really powerful fires that also send lots of smoke high up in the atmosphere that affects people hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away,' he said. Despite the current moderate air quality, cooler temperatures anticipated this week could offer some relief by helping suppress the smoke. Christy Climenhaga, of Environment and Climate Change Canada, says there is rain in the forecast for the Calgary region. 'We are seeing some pretty decent northwest flow in the province today, which will bring that smoke into southern Alberta,' said Climenhaga. 'We are not expecting air quality advisories or statements at this point to come into southern Alberta.'
Global News
5 hours ago
- Global News
Saskatoon flood mitigation plan: Several projects near completion, others to begin
In an effort to prevent reoccurring flood, Saskatoon is continuing to work on their nine-year $54-million flood control strategy. Work on projects began in 2019, with active projects starting up this summer. Dry storm ponds have been installed to help pool water and drain it through an underwater storm system that leads into the Saskatchewan River. This prevents the water from building up in the streets and in basements. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Weaver Park was the third project is almost complete, now that the dry storm pond has grown grass, landscaping, paths and lights to be added to upgrade the park. This dry storm pond will prevent flooding in buildings near Cascade Street and Dufferin Avenue, and Bute Street and Dufferin Avenue. The fourth project is at Brevoort Park South. Installation of the new underground storage system is complete, meaning the city can now begin to landscape the park. The park is expected to reopen again in early 2026. Story continues below advertisement Projects 5 and 6 will be happening this June. Construction will begin for a dry storm pond at Cumberland Park and an additional pond on the University of Saskatchewan lands. Watch the video above for more information.
