Environment Canada issued a heat warning for much of southern Alberta on Monday, suggesting both Calgary and Lethbridge will see temperatures above normal throughout the beginning of the week.
Heat warnings are issued when high temperature or humidity are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Meteorologist Jordan Witzel said the temperature in Calgary will hit 30 C on Monday, followed by 29 C on Tuesday, 28 C on Wednesday and 27 C on Thursday.
The mercury is expected to dip slightly by Friday, with a high in the mid-20s.
“We can anticipate seasonal temperatures for the weekend,” Witzel confirmed.
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Due to the heat, Environment Canada is cautioning Calgarians to stay hydrated.
Those most at risk from the heat are older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic illnesses and people who work or exercise in the heat.
“What we’re most concerned about are young children who often don’t pace themselves in the heat and sun, or are not aware of the physical effects that the heat and sun are going to have on their bodies,” Stuart Brideaux with Calgary EMS said. “They go very, very hard. They may not be consuming enough water, juice or other things like that. They may forget to wear their hat.”
“You have to be very, very proactive with [young children], otherwise you risk them suffering from heat exhaustion.”
The Alberta Health Services medical officer of health for the Calgary Zone said the heat can be dangerous for anyone, but those who are frail, elderly, and young children are especially at risk if they are exposed to extended periods of intense sun in very warm temperatures.
“If they experience a sort of confusion or loss of consciousness, or real changes like profuse sweating or lack of sweating, that’s when they are in danger of heat stroke,” Jason Cabaj said. “They should treat that as it is: as a medical emergency.”
For more tips on how to stay safe in the heat, visit the AHS website here
The heat in Calgary this week could even lead to the city breaking a weather record. According to Environment Canada, the record high for Calgary on June 6 was recorded at the Calgary International Airport in 1961 when it was 30.0 C.
“We’ll be watching many temperature records in Alberta on Monday,” Witzel added. “We’ve settled into a pretty stable atmosphere through the weekend and that has provided the opportunity for the extreme warmth.”
Calgary isn’t the only area in Alberta where a heat warning was issued; Brooks, Strathmore, Vulcan Cardston, Fort Macleod, Magrath, Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Foremost, Drumheller, Three Hills, Lethbridge, Taber, Milk River, Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Suffield, Okotoks, High River, Claresholm, Red Deer, Ponoka, Innisfail and Stettler are also included in the advisory.
With files from Global’s Gary Bobrovitz
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