Alberta heat warnings creep farther north with temperatures set to soar

With temperatures set to soar this week and stick around through the weekend, a heat warning issued for parts of southern Alberta has extended farther north and it could reach Edmonton as soon as Thursday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the heat warning included parts of central Alberta, including the Red Deer region.

READ MORE: Calgary under heat warning as temperatures expected to reach mid-30s

Heat warnings are issued in central and northern Alberta when two or more consecutive days of 29 C or more are expected, and overnight lows don’t fall cooler than 14 C.

Temperatures are expected to be high for an “unusually long duration,” according to Environment Canada. Temperatures in some areas could reach the mid-30s later this week.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“We’re stuck in a pattern that is going to allow for the heat to build from now through the weekend,” Global Edmonton meteorologist Tina Simpkin said.

“The chances for rain are minimal. So it’s going to be hot and it’s going to be dry.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The chances for rain are minimal. So it's going to be hot and it's going to be dry."

Edmonton could see at least two – and possibly three – days of 30 C or more, Simpkin said.

Last year, Edmonton only reached 30 C once.

READ MORE: Summer 2016 was warmer, wetter than normal in Edmonton

In the last 137 years since temperature records have been kept, Edmonton has only hit 30 C more than two days in a row 30 times, according to Jesse Wagar with Environment Canada.

People are cautioned to keep an eye out for symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting and unconsciousness.

Children, seniors and those with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions are warned to be extra vigilant.

To avoid heat stroke or exhaustion, people should consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks from the heat.

Pets and people should not be left inside a closed vehicle for any length of time.

For a complete list of areas under the heat warning, visit Environment Canada’s website.

Want your weather on the go? Download the Global News Skytracker weather app for Android and IOS.