High temperatures in Metro Vancouver are just the beginning of the hot spell

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — It’s going to be a very hot Saturday with a potential record breaking heatwave gripping most of the Pacific Northwest for the next few days.

A heat warning is in effect for most of coastal B.C., with temperatures ranging from the mid 30’s to early 40’s depending on where you are.

However, NEWS 1130’s Meteorologist Michael Kuss says Saturday is just the beginning of a hot spell for Metro Vancouver, and people need to stay safe.

“We always have to be careful because there’s people that are vulnerable in situations like this,” he said. “It’s a small portion of the population, but it’s a portion of course that we have to be aware of.”

Vancouver 7-day: Keeping the forecast temps a touch conservative if you consider record highs for the area conservative. #HEATWAVE pic.twitter.com/zFo5DdvBUV

— Michael Kuss (@Kusswx) June 25, 2021

“There’s a lot of people that will be saying, ‘what are we talking about here?’ … If you’re from Ontario or Florida, 40 degrees isn’t outrageous.”

But Kuss says humidity is a major factor.

“The body when it’s more humid doesn’t have the ability to cool itself by sweating because the atmosphere is filled up with almost as much water vapours it can handle, so there’s nowhere for that water, that sweat, to go and that’s why you don’t feel as good, why you feel clammy.”

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Kuss recommends that if you’re heading outdoors Saturday, make sure to drink plenty of water and stay in the shade, stay indoors and try to avoid heading out when the heat peaks in the afternoon. “You’re going to be sweaty and sticky, and you’re going to get through it.”

Kuss says that it’s not uncommon for the Fraser Valley or smaller inland towns to get to 40 degrees, but for the coast, it is not normal.

“We’re getting Lillooet-type temperatures right off the coast … and we don’t even see temperatures [like this] normally early in the season,” he says.

A major concern for people heading into Sunday and Monday, is the temperatures won’t cool down overnight.

“Overnight it’s still going to be incredibly mild, potentially temperatures in the low 20s for overnight lows,” noting that’s the Lower Mainland’s usual daytime high for this time of year.

Stay tuned to NEWS 1130 for the five-day forecast.