Readings may hit the 40s as more heat descends on Western Canada
Some areas will crack the 40-degree mark over the next couple of days as the latest round of heat descends on Western Canada
A summer heat repeat is on the way to the western half of the country over the next couple of days as searing temperatures push toward the 40-degree mark for some communities.
Widespread heat warnings are in effect as temperatures climb heading into this weekend. Even healthy individuals are susceptible to heat-related illnesses in such hot weather. Take it easy and check on vulnerable neighbours and loved ones during this stretch of high temperatures.
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Temperatures soar through the weekend
Another powerful ridge of high pressure will develop and lock-in over Western Canada heading into this weekend.
Air sinks and warms up beneath strong ridges of high pressure, allowing for a days-long stretch of hot temperatures and bright sunshine. Day after day of excessive heat could take its toll on vulnerable people throughout the region.
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The heat will peak Sunday and Monday for B.C.’s Interior, with the warmest weather arriving for the first half of the workweek in Alberta.
Some spots in British Columbia’s interior will reach or exceed 40°C for daytime highs during this spell of heat, including Osoyoos and Kelowna. Temperatures will moderate a bit closer to the coast, with daytime highs peaking in the upper 20s for Metro Vancouver.
Osoyoos typically reaches 30°C or warmer 14 days during the month of July. They’ve already seen 15 days with 30-degree readings this month, and they’re on track for seven more days at or above 30°C over the next week.
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Just about all of Alberta will see a stretch of very warm temperatures as a result of this ridge looming over the area. Readings over the next seven days could register 10-13 degrees above seasonal—that’s no small anomaly for the middle of July.
Major cities like Calgary and Edmonton will see daytime temperatures reach into the middle 30s by next week. Edmonton could soon see back-to-back 35°C readings.
By the end of this upcoming heat wave, Edmonton is likely to have hit 30°C for the twelfth time this month—beating the old July record of nine days at or above the 30-degree mark set back in 1975.
Saskatchewan will fall on the eastern edge of this heat ridge, where temperatures will peak between Tuesday and Thursday.
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Fire danger rises with the heat
Rising temperatures, bright sunshine, and scant opportunities for rain will increase the fire danger rating across Western Canada over the next week.
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We’ve already seen ‘very high’ to ‘extreme’ fire weather conditions present in northern sections of B.C. and Alberta to end this week. It’s likely that we’ll see the fire danger worsen over the next couple of days as conditions grow more favourable for the spark and spread of wildfires.
It’s firmly the middle of wildfire season across the country. There are dozens of wildfires burning throughout the region already. Anyone in a vulnerable area should remain ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Have a grab-and-go bag ready and a plan in place for sudden evacuations. Prepare in advance for wildfire smoke significantly reducing air quality in your neighbourhood, as well.
