Metro Vancouver heat wave continues, air quality advisory issued

Posted July 27, 2022 7:27 am.

Last Updated July 27, 2022 7:28 am.

The Metro Vancouver heat wave isn’t letting up, but the temperatures are at least expected to drop a little.

The high is expected to be around 28 degrees but with the humidity, it will feel more like 33. It will be even warmer farther inland.

B.C.’s Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is asking people to take some time to make sure older relatives and friends are okay.

“They’re not able to quickly get up and close windows and drapes, then open them up again. That’s where [it’s important to] have friends and family members check in and make sure everything is okay,” Mackenzie said.

“If your loved one is showing any signs of extreme lethargy or confusion or begins to vomit, take them to the emergency as quickly as possible. We need to recognize that seniors are affected by the heat differently.”

Need to know:

If you’re looking for ways to stay cool, Mackenzie has some advice, including finding an air-conditioned space (there are public facilities open in most communities) and drinking lots of cool liquids.

“You can put a cold cloth to your face, your wrists, and the back of your neck — which are your pulse points,” she suggested, adding you can also take a cold or tepid shower.

Click here for a list of Metro Vancouver locations where you can cool down.

Air quality advisory for parts of the region

An air quality advisory has been issued for the eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and the lower Fraser Valley. It’s expected to remain in place through the weekend.

CityNews Meteorologist Michael Kuss says there a number of reasons for the advisory.

“Considering all the heat and the relatively stagnant weather pattern, the air quality has been fairly good. Although it’s deteriorating into the moderate range — hence, the air quality advisory — it’s still not as bad as what we’ve seen over the last handful of years with a combination of local pollutants and forest fires.

“This is a local pollutant scenario, with ground-level ozone and some fine particulate matter enhancing or increasing over the next few days.”