Thick smoke will continue to dominate our valley due to a stagnant weather pattern

NowMedia staff | August 19, 2018 in Weather

Local Community Advertising

As of 6:35 a.m it's 9°C under smoke filled skies. There is a special air quality statement in effect with the air quality index currently at 10+ which is considered very high risk.

Wesla English, our local meteorologist says, "Thick haze will continue to dominate our valleys due to a stagnant weather pattern. The smoke will be thick enough to suppress daytime highs, keeping afternoon temps in the low to mid 20s. No precipitation is in the forecast through at least the first half of the week."

Photo credit: Jessica McDonald

Environment Canada says, "Smoky skies will continue across most of the province for the next few days. Local smoke levels may vary based on wind direction and fire characteristics but, until a significant change in the provincial weather pattern occurs, widespread air quality improvements are not expected."

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement with the air quality index currently at its highest level at 10+ and forecast to stay at that level for all of Sunday.

At-risk populations should avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion.

The general populations should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.

People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, infants, children and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure.


For general information about wildfire smoke and your health, contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).


The UV index is at 0 but forecast to reach 3 today and the pollen index is low.

Local Community Advertising

Trending Stories

UPDATE: 'Will take some time' before officers can enter scene of serious police incident

12-storey hotel proposed for former heritage site in downtown Kelowna

UPDATE: 4 found dead in rural property were members of the same family

Trudeau, Freeland announce 'Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights' in BC

BC lawyer disbarred, ordered to pay $49K for 'misconduct'

BC says strata hotels will be exempt from short-term rental rules

Non-BC wines get shelf space at Save-On grocery stores

'Surreal is the word': Newspaper staff cover fire in their own building