June heat wave expected to shatter 50-year-old records
By Nelson Daily Staff
The West Kootenay is in for a June heat wave not seen for the past 50 years says Fire Weather ForecasterJesse Ellis of the Southeast Fire Centre.
Ellis said the heat wave that started Thursday is due to a push of mid to upper flows coming from the United States.
“Beginning today we’ve got an area of high pressure building over southwest United States that is strengthening over the next few days and it’s putting us into really hot drier temperatures . . . into the high 30’s C,” Ellis told The Nelson Daily Thursday.
“Normally temperature for June are usually in the mid 20s,” Ellis added.
“Records for the month of June are somewhere in 36 and 38 C recorded 50 years ago at the Castlegar Weather Office. With this heat wave we have a good shot at breaking those monthly records for June.”
Ellis said the warmer temperatures originated from as far south as southern to mid California, which pushed Oregon and then into Washington State and BC.
Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to his 40 C Saturday and Sunday with a chance of thunderstorms into Monday.
Ellis said those thunderstorms could arrive as early as Sunday evening.
“There is the potential for a little bit of moisture in partly cloudy skies or thunderstorms in the late Sunday or early Monday,” Ellis said.
Ellis said it’s prudent for people with health issues to be prepared during the upcoming heat wave.
Some tips include:
- Keep hydrated by drinking lots of fluids drink before Drink lots feeling thirsty.
- Find cool places with air conditioning like shopping centre, library, community centre, swimming facility or grocery store.
- Guard against symptoms — dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat or extreme thirst — of heat-related illnesses including heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat rash and heat cramps. For anyone experiencing these symptoms get to a cool environment and try to drink two or three glasses of cool water. For extreme symptoms call 9-1-1.
- Avoid direct sun exposure by shading yourself by wearing a wide-brimmed breathable hat or umbrella. Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made from breathable fabric.
- Remember, the inside temperature of a vehicle can climb to more than 50 C when the outside temperature is 23 C. Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle during high temperatures.
- Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity especially during 11 a.m to 4 p.m.
Ellis said people could expect the warmer weather trend to continue into the start of summer.
“The forecast for July shows we’re going to see above average temperatures and near normal precipitation,” he said.
So people should pack an extra bottle of sunscreen and water bottle because early forecast appears to be a long, hot summer.
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