It won't be 5 straight days in the 30s, but we ARE in for 5 straight days at least 5 degrees above average.
So...that means the semi-official "heatwave" definition.
Temperatures climbed into the mid20s Thursday and should be in the 27-31 range today through Tuesday.
Average high for the next 5 days is 22.
The reason? A strong upper ridge of high pressure. That bubble of warm air aloft is going to keep us stable & warm right into early next week.
In fact, it's now looking strong enough to hold off the cold front I thought we might see Sunday night.
So...I've taken the risk of thunderstorms OUT of Sunday night's forecast.
The collapse of the ridge is now expected late Tuesday.
Sidenote: I'm keeping forecast highs JUST shy of 30 on Sunday & Monday, but there's a legit shot at hitting 30 or 31 those days.
Most models are now projecting humidity to be a bit lower than previously forecast for Sunday.
Marathon runners Sunday morning will have temperatures in the mid-teens at the start & low 20s by the finish.
Forecast looks like this:
Today - Mainly sunny
High: 27
Sat - Sunny w/ a few clouds
High: 28
Sun - Sunny in AM, Partly cloudy in PM
High: 29
Mon - Partly cloudy
High: 29
Tue - Increasing cloud, 30% chance of evening showers or thunderstorms
High: 28
Wed - Mostly cloudy, 40% chance of showers
High: 22
Let's Call It A Heatwave - August 17, 2012
Josh Classen, CTV Edmonton
Published Friday, August 17, 2012 8:49AM MDT
Published Friday, August 17, 2012 8:49AM MDT