3:46 p.m. PDT Tuesday 21 July 2026
Impact Level: Moderate
Forecast Confidence: High
This is a heat warning. Temperatures are high and there is a risk to public health.
What: A period of elevated temperatures is expected.
When: From now to Wednesday.
Where:
- North Coast inland sections including Terrace and Kitimat
- Central Coast inland sections including Bella Coola
- Sunshine Coast
- East Vancouver Island
- Inland Vancouver Island
Additional information:
A ridge of high pressure is bringing high temperatures to the region. Daytime highs are expected to be in the low 30s with overnight lows in the mid teens.
High temperatures will persist through Wednesday, followed by a gradual cooling trend.
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 the effects of heat illness: heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.
Keep your house cool. Turn on your air conditioning (if possible), block the sun by closing curtains or blinds, or relocate to a cooler location such as a basement or public cooling centre.
Fans alone cannot effectively lower core body temperature, especially for older adults. Use fans to pull in cooler air from outdoors, but if you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms of heat illness, find a cooler space.
For more information:
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/how-protect-yourself.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/climate-change-health/extreme-heat/who-is-at-risk.html
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 https://www.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 BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on social media using #BCStorm.
In effect for:
