It’s hot out there. Here’s where (and how) to cool off in the Tri-Cities.
Drink lots of water, find cool places, monitor your health and check in on neighbours, friends and family.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a heat warning in Metro Vancouver on Monday as a result of high temperatures in the region.
In all three of the Tri-Cities, the Monday daytime high was 33 degrees and the nighttime low was 17 degrees. On Tuesday, it’s projected to hit 32 degrees and cool down to 16 degrees at night.
According to Fraser Health, a heat warning is issued when two or more days in a row have daytime highs that reach or exceed regional temperature thresholds, and nighttime minimum temperatures higher than normal.
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In the southwest (which includes Metro Vancouver) that’s when temperatures are 29 degrees or higher for two consecutive days and the nighttime minimum is 16 degrees.
While heat affects everyone, the people most at risk are seniors, people living alone, people pre-existing health conditions (like diabetes, heart disease or respiratory disease), mental illness (such as schizophrenia, depression or anxiety), people with substance use disorders and people with limited mobility, according to the weather alert.
How to stay safe
Environment and Climate Change Canada encourages people to check in on their family, friends and neighbours — especially those who are at higher risk and/or live alone — to ensure they have a cool place to spend time in.
The agency also recommends folks watch out for early signs of heat illness, which include feeling unwell, fatigue, thirst, headaches and unusually dark urine, because “these can rapidly evolve into life-threatening emergencies.” If they notice these symptoms, they should immediately go to a cooler spot. They also advise drinking plenty of water (before feeling thirsty) to decrease risk of dehydration.
Other ways to stay safe include avoiding strenuous activity or exercise during the hottest hours of the day, wearing a hat and light clothing in the direct sun, finding shelter in shaded areas and never leaving pets or children in vehicles, according to the City of Coquitlam.
The city also advises pet-owners to make sure they have lots of water and ways to cool down (like a cool damp towel to lie on).
All of the Tri-Cities have air-conditioned facilities and other cooling areas that residents can visit if they need a spot to cool down.
Coquitlam has six air-conditioned recreation centres, two libraries, four pools and spray parks and 10 free spray parks. The full list of them is here.
Port Moody’s public cooling centres are the Civic Centre Galleria and Port Moody Public Library, with additional space at Kyle Centre and Arts Centre. There are several misting poles and one misting tunnel throughout the city, as well as three spray parks, two outdoor pools and Sasamat Lake. See at the full list here.
Port Coquitlam
Port Coquitlam residents can visit the Terry Fox Library or Port Coquitlam Community Centre if they need a place to cool down. The city also has two pools, two spray parks and a wading pool. Take a look at their interactive map here.
Cooler weather is expected by Wednesday, with a daytime high of 22 degrees C.
