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Be Prepared for the Okanagan Summer Heat!

"It can get really hot out there. While exploring the great outdoors, be sun-wise and heat-wise."

One of the most wonderful things about the Okanagan Valley is the fact that it has four distinct seasons - and as some people put it, “They’re often all in one day!” The climate here can be harsh - but unlike the prairies or northern areas of our country, it’s not the winter that challenges people the most. It's the summer.

The Famous Okanagan Sun - Not Always Your Friend

Sometimes, summer in the Okanangan Valley is like living in a big sauna. As many people know, 2003 marked the year that part of this valley and other areas in the BC Interior literally were on fire.

"North America's Sonoran Lifezone is an extensive desert ecosystem spanning three countries: Mexico, USA and Canada. It is a little known fact that the northern boundary of the Great Basin Desert (which is one of the deserts within the Sonoron Lifezone) just barely stretches across the USA-Canada border into British Columbia. The locals refer to this area lovingly as the "pocket desert" - the only desert in Canada. The dryness of this southern interior landscape has a great deal to do with its geography. British Columbia is a wrinkled province resulting from the shifting of the earth’s crust over many millions of years. The valleys show evidence of more recent glacial scouring. The deep Okanagan valley is part of an “interior dry belt” running north to south between the Coastal and Rocky Mountain chains. The Coastal Mountains to the west reduce the humidity of the prevailing ocean air currents, resulting in warm, dry air that drops into the valleys. To add to this dryness, the sandy soils are well drained so that most rainfall quickly seeps away." - from the Desert Center in Osoyoos (www.desert.org)

The reasons for the heat?

1. The Okanagan Valley is located at the very northernmost tip of the Sonora Desert, that stretches across the border from the United States. This desert brings with it lovely and interesting plants and grasses, the magnificent Ponderosa Pine tree and a variety of intriguing animals.

2. The other reason for the dry heat of the Okanagan Valley is the fact that it is located east of the Coast Mountain Range, in what is referred to as a "rain shadow". The same mountains that challenge winter drivers on the Connector between Merrit and Westbank and between Hope and Penticton are the barriers to rain coming off the BC Coast.

The dry air here has many advantages. It tends to be fragrant and relatively bug-free, especially in the evenings, and is helpful to some people who suffer from health conditions aggravated by high humidity. However, the dry air presents two challenges: it can be hard on your skin, and your body is more susceptible to dehydration.

Factoring in Sun Protection

The sun in the Okanagan is very intense. It doesn't matter if you are planning a walk around the block, 15 minutes in the garden, a few hours on the beach, or a stroll through the shops in downtown Westbank, protect yourself from the sun.

These are some tips from the Canada Canada Society Website about "Sunsense"

1. Reduce exposure between 11:00 and 4:00 and anytime when the UV Index is above 3. Look for shade or create your own shade by bringing an umbrella (we keep a beach umbrella in our car all summer for those days when we can't find enough shade at the park or beach).
   
   
2. SLIP on some loose fitting, tightly woven clothes that cover the arms and legs.
   
   
3. SLAP on a wide brimmed hat. The face and neck are very susceptable to sun damage. A baseball cap is not good enough.
   
   
4. SLOP on some sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or higher (30 or higher if you are going to be outside most of the day). SPF refers to "Sun Protection Factor". If your lotion is a SPF of 30, the lotion claims to protect you for 30 times longer than if you aren’t wearing it. That’s not much help to your skin if the UV rating for the day indicates you’ll burn within 5 minutes in the full sun - and in the Okanagan, there are days the sun is that intense.
   
   
5. Remember to protect your babies and young children as well. Use the SLIP, SLAP, SLOP method and park the strollers in the shade. Teach children that "hats are cool."
   
   

Dehydration, Exhaustion, Heat Stress, and Heat Stroke

Think it can’t happen to you, your child, or your pet? Well, just like hypothermia in the cold, the heat can damage or even kill.

• Regardless of what you are planning for the day, bring water for yourself and the family. Lack of water is a major contributor to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Remember to take regular water breaks, even in cool weather.

• Avoid strenuous exercise, hiking, and other outdoor physical activities during the middle of the day. Take frequent rest breaks to cool down.

• Wear light colored, loose clothing. Again, SLAP on a wide brimmed hat when outside.

• Be alert to the symptons of heat exhaustion and stress. One of the first signs of heat stress in a person is a deep flush to the face even as they remain pale around the hairline. The person may become slow-moving or dizzy, or complain about nausea. If you notice any of the signs, escort the person to a cool place, let them lie down, sponge them off with tepid or cool water, then get a professional opinion.

• Eat nutritious and high calorie food.

• Keep an eye on children and seniors during the hot weather. If possible look for shade or an air conditioned building for some relief from the heat.

• Don’t leave any person or living thing (i.e. dog, cat, or other pet) parked in a vehicle during hot weather. In just minutes, the temperature can reach deadly limits!

Be prepared and inform yourself about what to watch for. By recognizing the signs and taking the right action, you could save a life. Remember, we are not experts. Don’t just take our word for it - ask a health care professional!