Alberta is in a weather-free zone during heat wave, Environment and Climate Change Canada explains
Much of Alberta will experience extreme heat starting Thursday and continuing into the weekend, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is warning.
As of Thursday morning, a heat warning was in effect for all of central Alberta, as far south as Lethbridge and as far north as Grande Prairie. More of northern Alberta will see temperatures near 29 C as the week progresses, ECCC predicted.
The forecast is five to 10 degrees higher than normal, according to ECCC senior climatologist David Phillips.
"We've already had a year's worth of 30-degree temperatures this year and we haven't even reached the first day of summer officially," he told CTV News Edmonton during an interview.
"My sense is we've had the opening act, the dress rehearsal, and likely what we're going to see – if our models are right – is more of the same."
UPPER RIDGE, NOT HEAT DOME
While Alberta is experiencing is not a heat dome, Phillips noted. Instead, he said the correct terminology is an upper ridge.
"Meteorologically, it's very similar. It's air that's covered over you. It's not moving. It doesn't let weather in. It only forces weather to go around it," he explained.
"So it's almost as if you're in a weather-free zone. I know that sounds crazy. But it's almost as if you're not having enough weather. We like a balance in life. We like a balance in weather, too."
Extreme heat that lasted between 12 and 15 days in western Canada in 2021 and caused hundreds of deaths was a heat dome, Phillips said.
ADVICE FOR EXTREME HEAT
"It'll be a challenging week for Edmontonians because of the fact that there is wall-to-wall sunshine, high temperatures, and no relief in sight," Phillips said.
During extreme heat, the public is advised to limit their outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, stay hydrated, take frequent breaks, and monitor for symptoms of heat stroke or exhaustion, particularly in people who are more vulnerable.
"Ideally, hydration begins the day before – 12 to 24 hours before – going outside. But again, try to stay hydrated with water throughout the day if you are outside," Alberta Health Services public information officer Adam Loria said.
While the Alberta Electric System Operator is expecting continued high demand, it does not anticipate needing to issue another alert like it did Wednesday, when the province's grid was affected by high usage because of the hot temperatures, low wind generation, and two thermogenerators falling offline.
"Conditions on the grid look fine today," communications manager Leif Sollid told CTV News Edmonton on Thursday.
"Things could change very quickly, but right now, we're very confident that we'll be fine."
The City of Edmonton has installed water bottle filling stations throughout the city and peace officers will be handing out water.
The 24/7 Crisis Diversion team can be reached by calling 211 and 911 should be called in emergencies.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nicole Lampa and Heather Grant
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.