Heat warning continues for parts of B.C.

A person sits on the beach under a colourful umbrella as sail boats pass in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday, July 7, 2024. Heat warnings have been put in place for the Metro Vancouver area for elevated temperatures. (Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press)

A hot weather warning continues for much of B.C. as Environment Canada says an “early season heat event” is expected to linger into the week.

The weather agency issued alerts early Tuesday morning for parts of the Lower Mainland, the southwestern Interior, and the Kootenay region.

Inland areas of the south coast and Vancouver Island will continue to see daytime temperatures that reach the high 20s, while regions further east are forecasted too see temperatures in the mid to upper-30s. Cooler conditions can be found nearer the immediate coast, the weather agency said.

A gradual cooling is expected to come later in the week.

On Sunday, the heat shattered daily temperature records in twelve communities throughout the province, with Williams Lake, Whistler, Squamish, Princeton, Pitt Meadows, Pemberton, Lytton, Kamloops, Clinton and Abbotsford all surpassing the 30 C mark.

The extended weather alert comes as fire services tackle a wildfire that broke out in Squamish Monday afternoon, last noted to be five hectares in a BC Wildfire Service statement Monday night.

As of Tuesday morning, certain areas had been placed under an evacuation alert by the Squamish District.

As the heat continues, Environment Canada is advising people to watch for the effects of heat illness, which include heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.

“If you or someone you care for is experiencing symptoms of heat illness, find a cooler space,” the weather agency said.