Environment Canada has lifted the heat warning for the Okanagan-Shuswap as the heat dome has passed, but that doesn鈥檛 mean we鈥檙e in the clear yet.

Meteorologist Doug Lundquist said temperatures might be 鈥渃ooler鈥� compared to the mid to high 40s we were experiencing during the heatwave. However, the forecast from Thursday into the next week is still mid to high 30s during the days, with nighttime temperatures in the high teens, especially in downtown 琉璃神社.

But he said there have been enough cool nights that Environment Canada felt it could lift the warning. Despite the ongoing high 30s, he said another heat wave event seems unlikely within the next ten days though they may have to reissue the warning for a day or two when temperatures rise.

Part of the forecast is some showers and lightning.

鈥淭he showers we鈥檒l get won鈥檛 replenish the dryness we鈥檝e had, but it is a concern as this can start more fires,鈥� Lundquist said.

This summer is highly unusual, according to Lundquist.

鈥淭his June was the hottest June we鈥檝e ever had and with high 40s and lows being 30s, and paired with the sustained length of time; it鈥檚 very unusual.鈥�

He added that the most important thing is to keep an eye on the vulnerable during this time as the area remains hot.

鈥淐ontinue to help them and protect them and please never leave a person or an animal in a car with these temperatures,鈥� he said.

鈥淜eep hydrating and remember to wear hats or use umbrellas and stay in the shade when possible.

鈥淭he problem is you can still get dehydrated even when it鈥檚 鈥榗ooler鈥� like this. Sometimes we don鈥檛 notice we鈥檙e sweating and it鈥檚 evaporating because it鈥檚 not as hot, so keep up with your water intake. Try not to drink alcohol as much.鈥�

Lundquist added that with wildfires in the province, smoke will eventually affect air quality, which may be a lot for the elderly and young children, coupled with the heat.

He said it鈥檚 important to have a strategy for dealing with both the heat and the smoke.

鈥淵ou may need to keep wearing masks while outdoors just to protect you from smoke. But if you can avoid it altogether, try that option.鈥�

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twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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