With temperatures expected to reach into the mid-30s this week, Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for parts of eastern Vancouver Island.
The heat warning is in effect for Courtenay to Campbell River, Duncan to Nanaimo and Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay.
Environment Canada says daytime highs will be 29 to 35 degrees inland and roughly 27 degrees near the water Wednesday and Thursday, with an early morning low as high as 18 degrees.
The resurgence of hot weather comes from a strong ridge of high pressure that will bring a “short-lived” heat wave, with temperatures expected to moderate by Friday, according to Environment Canada.
The hottest time of the day will be late afternoon to early evening.
While warnings have not been issued for any other parts of the Island, the forecast will see a return to hot weather for most of the region, including Greater Victoria.
Environment Canada forecasts that the region will reach highs of 27 degrees Wednesday and Thursday, before falling to 20 degrees Friday.
The weather agency is warning that extreme heat risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and those working or exercising outdoors.
Symptoms of heat sickness include swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, exhaustion, heat stroke and worsening of some health conditions.
The province’s last heat wave, which took place July 26 to Aug. 3, led to the heat-related deaths of 16 people, according to the BC Coroner’s Service.
Most of the deaths occurred in Fraser Health with eight deaths, and Interior Health with six deaths. Vancouver Coastal and Island Health each had one death, and no people died in Northern Health.
Heat warnings have also been issued for much of B.C.’s South Coast including Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Valley.
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