B.C. is in a major heat wave, with temperatures expected to hit the mid-to-high 30s in Greater Vancouver and the low 40s in some parts of the B.C. Interior in the next few days.

The heat wave is already affecting air quality in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley, and it's expected to get worse through the weekend, especially further up the valley.

The air in the Fraser Valley is expected to get much worse over the weekend.
(CBC)

On Friday, the Greater Vancouver Regional District issued an air quality advisory warning of "poor."

GVRD air quality analyst Ken Reid said an extensive high-pressure ridge is building, with only light winds in the forecast.

"So we can expect over the next few days, the pollution is going to build up into the poor category for most of the Fraser Valley, but perhaps not all of it. There will be parts of Greater Vancouver that will likely have slightly better air quality than places further east."

Dr. John Blatherwick says people should be careful with their exposure to the sun.
(CBC)

Reid said anyone with chronic lung conditions should stay indoors, especially in the late afternoon when the air quality is at its worst.

'Hot, hot, hot'

Temperature records dating back more than 50 years are predicted to be broken across the province between Friday and late next week. 

"You're looking at hot, hot, hot in three words,"  said CBC meteorologist Claire Martin

"I think we'll not only see records fall in Vancouver, but in the Interior in B.C. over the next few days."

That kind of heat is worrying public health officials. Emergency rooms are bracing to be even busier than usual, with more cases of heat stroke and dehydration.

"You start to feel weak, a little dizzy like you want to sit down. So get out of the sun," said Vancouver's medical health officer, Dr. John Blatherwick.

People are also advised to drink lots of water.