Record-breaking heat expected to come to Prince George

Record-breaking heat is expected over the weekend in Prince George.

Anything over 30 degrees Celsius will beat the record and it looks like Prince George residents could experience heat that will blast that number as temperatures are expected to peak at 34 degrees on Sunday with a fluctuation of a degree or two going either way.

The heat will start Friday at 30 degrees Celsius and creep up from there.

“Average temperatures for Prince George for this time of year are just 20 degrees and what we’re going to see between Friday and thereafter into the early part of next week is pretty much above 30 degrees,” Bobby Sekhon, meteorologist for Environment Canada, said. “So that makes these temperatures over 10 degrees above average which is quite exceptional for this time of year.”

Heat like this isn’t usually expected until later in July and August and even then Prince George only tips the temperature gauge over 30 every three years or so looking at the past climate norms, Sekhon said.

“We’re still a few days out but it’s safe to say that between 30 and 35 degrees is in the realm of possibility this weekend,” Sekhon added.

With temperatures going over 29 degrees in the day and not dipping down past 14 degrees at night for more than two consecutive days comes heat warnings.

The vulnerable population including the elderly, infants, pregnant women, the chronically ill and people living and working outside are warned to be careful.

“Dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, headache, can be signs of heat exhaustion,” Sekhon said. “If you’re running a high body temperature, experiencing confusion, sweating and dizziness that could be signs of heat stroke and in general we can still say safe at this time. Wear loose fitting clothing, take cool showers if you’re able to - to get refreshed, avoid strenuous activity if you can - save that for a cooler day or do that first thing in the morning or later in the day when it’s relatively cooler than the peak of the day.”

Do whatever you can to keep cool, seek shade or jump in a pool, Sekhon suggested.

“We can enjoy the weather safely and keep our health in mind and still have a good time,” Sekhon said.