Extreme heat
Be prepared for extreme heat in Kelowna
Keep yourself and your family safe during extreme heat. It’s common for summers in the Okanagan to be sunny and hot, but when the temperature rises to extreme levels, it’s important to have a plan in place to stay cool and to stay connected with those who may be at higher risk of heat-related illness.
BC's Heat Alert & Response System (HARS) uses a three-tier, colour-coded system aligned with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) weather alerts to help communicate forecast heat risk and guide preparedness and response actions. The alert levels are Yellow, Orange, and Red.
| Alert Level | Criteria | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Issued when daytime and overnight temperatures are forecast to be unusually high for two or more consecutive days. | Daytime temperature: 35–37⁰C Overnight temperature: 16–17⁰C |
| Orange | Issued when daytime and overnight temperatures are forecast to be very high for three or more consecutive days. | Daytime temperature: above 37⁰C Overnight temperature: above 17⁰C |
| Red | Issued when the region is at or above Orange-level temperatures and the heat is expected to substantively increase day over day for three or more days. | Daytime temperature: above 37⁰C Overnight temperature: above 17⁰C Trend: increasing daily heat (day-over-day escalation) |
The City of Kelowna uses the Environment Canada portal as the forecasting source to assess weather conditions for Kelowna.
During Yellow, Orange, or Red heat alerts, we will provide up-to-date information to help you stay safe. To receive updates to your inbox, sign up for News Release e-bulletins or Central Okanagan Emergency Management Community Notifications.
How to prepare for extreme heat:
Preparing ahead of time can make a big difference, especially if you do not have air conditioning. Build a plan that works for your home and your daily routine. Here’s a suggested action plan from Prepared BC to put in motion during Extreme Heat:
- Identify a cooler place you can go, such as a public building or shaded outdoor space
- Set up the coolest room in your home for sleeping
- Check in with a friend, neighbour, or family member, and make a plan to support each other
- Block out sunlight with exterior coverings or by closing curtains and blinds
- Keep windows closed during the hottest part of the day (typically 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Open windows in the evening to let cooler air in and use fans to circulate air
- Prepare cool drinks and make ice ahead of time
- Check that thermometers and fans are working and have batteries if needed
Places to cool down when the temperature rises
There are a variety of ways to find relief from the heat across Kelowna.
Indoor spaces
- Public facilities, including libraries and recreation centres, are available during operating hours
- Local businesses such as restaurants, shopping centres, galleries, and theatres can also provide a break from the heat
Outdoor options
Many Kelowna parks and green spaces offer shade where temperatures can be lower than homes without air conditioning.
- Visit nearby parks using our Parks & Beaches map to find parks near you
- Cool off at one of our waterparks
During heat alerts, additional cooling options may be activated across the community.
The City also takes steps to help residents access places to stay cool. During a heat alert, transit fares within the City may be waived for trips to cooling locations. Simply let the driver know you are travelling to a place to cool off, and your fare will be waived.
BC's Heat Alert & Response System uses a three-tier, colour-coded alert system to communicate forecast heat risk and guide preparedness and response actions. Each level reflects increasing risk to health and corresponding escalation in response.
- Yellow (initial response): Hazardous weather that may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are typically moderate, localized, and/or short term.
- Orange (escalated response): Severe weather likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are major, more widespread, and may last for several days.
- Red (full response): Very dangerous and potentially life-threatening weather that will cause extreme damage and disruption.
What should I do?
Yellow
Take early steps to stay cool and reduce your risk:
- Drink water regularly and seek shade
- Spend time in cooler indoor spaces during the day, such as malls, recreation facilities, libraries, museums or movie theatres
- Check in on neighbours, friends and family who may need extra support
Orange
Heat risk is higher and may impact more people. Continue taking protective actions and:
- Adjust daily routines to avoid heat during the hottest parts of the day
- Use available cooling spaces more frequently
- Check local listings for any extended hours or additional cooling locations
Red
Heat is very dangerous and can be life-threatening. Take all possible measures to stay safe:
- Activate your personal or household heat safety plan
- Continue visiting cooling spaces as needed and check for extended hours
- Take cool showers or baths, or soak your feet in cold water
- Keep indoor spaces cool by closing windows, doors and curtains during the day, and opening windows at night if temperatures drop
- Use fans with caution (for example, placing them near a bowl of ice), especially if air conditioning is not available
Certain populations are at increased risk to adverse health outcomes during extreme heat events due to a combination of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, including:
Part of having an emergency plan includes checking in on those who may not have access to air conditioning, or those who may be more susceptible to heat. This can include friends, family and neighbours. You can use resources such the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health’s Extreme Heat Health Check Tool to help you do this.
Severe heat illness and heat stroke are medical emergencies. Call 9-1-1 if you are caring for someone with signs or symptoms of severe heat-related illness. Symptoms of severe heat-related illness include:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Faint or loss of consciousness
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty speaking
- Movement and coordination problems
- Lethargy
- Not sweating
- Hot, flushed, or very pale skin
- Not urinating or very little urinating
- Rapid breathing and faint, rapid heart rate
- Body temperature >39°C (102°F)
While waiting for help to arrive, you can help cool the person by:
- Moving them to a cool place, if possible
- Remove excess clothing
- Apply cold water, wet towels or ice packs around the body
Learn more about the signs of heat-related illness via Interior Health or the BC Centre of Disease Control.
Part of good heat preparation plans includes putting a plan in place for pets. Here are some recommendations from the BC SPCA to help your pets through bouts of extreme heat.
- Pavement: If you regularly jog or bike with your dog, be conscious of when you’re doing it. If it’s a hot day, the pavement can get very hot for your pet’s feet.
- Exercising: Choose to exercise with your dog earlier in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler reducing the chances of your pet getting heatstroke.
- Outdoor excursions: When hiking, camping, or going to the beach, make sure you bring along a water bowl and water for your pet as well as an umbrella for shade. Use towel to both dry off your pet and to give them an option of a place to lie down that’s not scorching hot.
- Cool Down: Freeze your pet's favourite food or treats, such as Kongs, or ice cubes with chicken broth or try freezing a variety of toys and treats inside one big ice cube. Consider investing in a kiddie pool for your pup and fill with cool water for your furry friend to enjoy and play in.
- Check in to see if your pet OK: Ensure your pet is actually having a good time outside in the heat or in your back yard and is able to get out of the sun in a nice shaded area.
- Pets in cars: If you go out in the car, leave your pet at home rather than in a hot vehicle, where it can take as little as 10 minutes for a pet to suffer irreparable brain damage or even death. The BC SPCA offers guidance on what you can do if you see a pet in a hot car: See a pet in a hot car?
As pets are not permitted in cooling centres, people requiring support for their pets can contact the Animal Lifeline Response Team (ALERT) at 250-809-7152. The BC SPCA also has more tips and advice for summer pet safety available here.
The City works with community partners and public facilities to provide cool spaces during extreme heat.
Yellow: Public indoor spaces with air conditioning, such as libraries and recreation centres, are promoted as places to cool down during regular operating hours.
Orange: The City assesses whether select locations can operate as cooling centres, including extended hours where feasible.
Red: Cooling centres are more broadly activated across the community, where capacity and operations allow.
This webpage will be updated with locations and contact details if an Orange or Red heat alert is issued.
All identified cool spaces are free to access. Depending on the alert level and operational capacity, some locations may offer extended hours as cooling centres. Visit this page or contact the organization directly for current locations, hours, and access details.
Transit fares will be waived for those seeking transportation to a cool location during a heat alert. Indicate to the driver that you are using the bus to go someplace to cool off and the fare for the ride will be waived.
Please note: pets are not permitted in any of the listed cool spaces. People requiring support for their pets can contact the Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT) at (250) 809-7152. The BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) website also has valuable tips and advice for summer pet safety.
The City is working collaboratively with community organizations and outreach teams to support people sheltering outdoors. This may include supporting with cooling supplies and information on heat safety, drinking water locations and cooling opportunities.
In addition to air-conditioned public spaces and shaded outdoor spaces, Metro Community Drop-In can be accessed for water, shade, food and peer-led supports. The drop-in site is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is located at 1262 St. Paul Street. During a heat alert, hours of operation may be extended, subject to organizational capacity.
Air quality during a Heat Warning / Extreme Heat Emergency may be affected by high concentrations of ozone or particulate matter, especially if there are wildfires burning nearby. Heat and air pollution affect your body in different ways, and some people are susceptible to the effects of both. The ECCC Heat Alert & Response System recommends that cooler, cleaner indoor air is the best way to protect yourself from heat and air pollution. Since heat poses a bigger risk than smoke for most people, they recommend to prioritize staying cool.
Use the Prepared BC Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide for tips and resources.
The City has an extreme heat plan in place for programs and events for the safety of both program participants and staff.
Some seasonal programs can be adapted during extreme heat through adaptations such as bringing the class indoors. If there are any impacts to a City program you’re registered in due to extreme heat or adverse weather conditions, you will be notified directly.
Free, drop-in summer programs, such as Park & Play, may be adjusted as temperatures rise to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. For example, if the temperature exceeds 32 degrees, inflatables will not be set up, and program hours may be shortened. If the temperature or humidex reaches 40oC or higher by 1 p.m. on the day of the event, the program will be cancelled. Cancellation notices will be posted online.
- Extreme Heat | Interior Health
- Extreme Heat | Climate Ready BC
- Preparing for Extreme Heat | Prepared BC
- Preparing for Heat Events | BC Centre of Disease Control
- Adapting to Extreme Heat Events | Health Canada
- BC Provincial Heat Alert and Response System (HARS)
- Weather Information | Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Strong Neighbourhoods | City of Kelowna
