Continuous heat mounts health risks in Alberta amid wildfires, smoke
Extremely hot temperatures will continue to keep Alberta sizzling this week, along with a growing wildfire and smoke risk.
A prolonged heat event continues in Alberta this week with daytime highs reaching the upper 30s for several locales on Tuesday.
As a result, heat warnings remain in effect. Residents and visitors to the warned regions are advised to take the precautions to protect themselves, their families and their neighbours. Overnight lows won't provide much relief, either.
Stay with The Weather Network’s wildfire hub for the latest on fires across B.C. and around Canada
Parts of the province are also dealing with dangerous air quality from wildfires burning throughout the region.
Tuesday could yield more lightning in the form of thunderstorms, with the non-severe risk limited to northern Alberta.
Record-breaking heat wave for Edmonton
This is a heat wave for the books in Alberta. Heat warnings remain in effect throughout Alberta as a result of this unrelenting spell of hot temperatures.
We already achieved a records in Edmonton. Downtown Edmonton hit 33.5°C on Monday, making this the longest heat wave on record for the capital. It broke the previous, six-day record in June 1961. It has now seen seven consecutive days above 30°C. On average, less than four days in an entire year reach 30°C.
DON'T MISS: Staying hydrated on a hot day is a lot more important than you think
Temperatures will begin to fall late this week as an upper-level low responsible for this heat wave pushes east across the Prairies.
This low will bring widespread rain across northern regions of the province this week, certainly helping firefighting efforts across the region.
By the end of the week, temperatures will be considerably cooler, closer to seasonal, in the 20s, for most areas, finally giving some relief from the continuous heat.
The risk of thunderstorms on Tuesday remains confined across northern Alberta, as it’s too hot and stable across southern sections of Alberta. Some beneficial rainfall is forecast to fall across some of the High Level forest area, where the largest wildfires are currently burning.
However, areas near Highway 16 across the Alberta-Saskatchewan border could also see storms develop Tuesday afternoon and evening as a cold front passes through.
Wednesday will likely feature a thunderstorm risk across central Alberta, including near Edmonton.
A weak area of low pressure is developing into Thursday morning that will usher in a much cooler air mass as the low continues to strengthen across northeastern Alberta that day.
The heat wave breaks in the north on Thursday with the passage of a cold front, bringing temperatures back down to the mid- to upper-20s.
An upper trough will also swing through, bringing widespread heavy rain to the fire-stricken areas. While this is much-needed, folks should be wary of flooding.
By Friday, southern Alberta will also be freed from the heat, but not from the wildfire danger as the land will still be extremely dry.
Air quality remains poor as wildfires rage
It’s not just the heat threatening vulnerable individuals across Alberta.
Extreme heat continues on Tuesday, along with very poor air quality across portions of Alberta. Calgary reported poorer air quality on Monday as wildfire smoke lifted in from British Columbia.
In fact, not a single air quality measurement across the entire province was in the low risk category according to the air quality health index (AQHI).
Many areas in northern Alberta, including Edmonton, will be starting Tuesday in the high risk category due to low-level smoke. Favourable winds should clear some of the smoke away further north later in the day, though.
SEE ALSO: Best practices to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
Air quality advisories have been issued throughout the province, along with heat warnings.
“During heavy smoke conditions, everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk,” Environment and Climate Change Canada said in its air quality advisory for Edmonton.
“Limit time outdoors. Consider rescheduling or cancelling outdoor sports, activities and events.”
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Alberta.
