Nova Scotia adopts new heat warning system
Posted Jul 3, 2018 01:56:43 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new heat warning system is now in place to warn Nova Scotians when hot and humid weather has the potential to be harmful.
Heat warnings are issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada to inform the public when air temperature and humidex are forecast to be above a certain criteria for two consecutive days.
The adopted criteria includes a daytime temperature of 29 degrees Celsius or higher and nighttime temperature of 16 degrees or higher or a humidex of 36 degrees Celsius or higher.
Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, says the former criteria included higher temperatures like when the humidex was 40 degrees Celsius of higher.
He says the new system is more accurate.
“We can anticipate seeing more frequent heat alerts because the threshold has been lowered but that threshold is actually based on an up-to-date analysis of where we actually start to see impacts on human health,” says Dr. Strang.
The move is part of the federal government's climate change adaptation in expectation of more frequent heat events.
Dr. Stang says he doesn't fear having more frequent warnings will make people pay less attention to them.
“I would much rather err on the side of giving people a warning and telling them how to prepare… rather than not warning people and having them left with something they aren't prepared for,” he says.
He says most vulnerable to become sick due to high heat and humidity are infants, young children, the elderly and people with chronic health conditions like lung or heart problems.
“But also in Nova Scotia it is not like we have a regular hot climate, so we are not acclimatized,” he says. “So when this hits us were are all to some extent more vulnerable, it's just some have a greater vulnerability than others.”
To prevent heat stress during a heat alert, Dr. Strang suggests to stay in a shaded, cool or air-conditioned area, drink plenty of water, wear light-coloured clothing and to not leave anyone or any animal unattended in vehicles.
The new system is a partnership between Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.
