Heat warning expands to much of Vancouver Island
Published 5:14 am Tuesday, July 21, 2026
An expanded heat warning includes much of Vancouver Island, where shoreline breezes won’t help with the cooling.
Elevated temperatures are expected now through Wednesday (July 22), Environment Canada predicts.
The warning stretches from southern Vancouver Island, up the Island and across to the North Coast including Terrace and Kitimat, inland sections such as Bella Coola and the Sunshine Coast.
Initially covering less area of the province when issued Monday, the yellow, or mid confidence, alert issued Tuesday covers more communities.
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.
A gradual cooling trend is expected to start Thursday.
It’s a reminder for community to check on family, friends and neighbours, who are at higher risk, particularly if they live alone, to make sure they have a cool space.
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 and people with limited mobility.
The effects of heat illness include heavy sweating, rash, cramps, fainting, high body temperature and the worsening of some health conditions.
Visit HealthLinkBC online for resources about heat-related illness healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/heat-related-illness or call 8-1-1 for advice.
Those unable to stay cool at home, should identify places in the community with air conditioning, such as a friend’s house, a mall, community centre or library. Most municipalities, such as the City of Victoria with its Victoria.ca/ExtremeHeat web page, outline spaces to help keep cool.
About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk
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