LETHBRIDGE, AB – As you have probably noticed by now, it’s pretty hot outside.
How hot is it?
So hot, in fact, that many communities across the region have set new all-time daily high records.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang says we are currently in a typical, but exacerbated summer weather pattern.
“We’ve seen some record-breaking temperatures in Death Valley. It’s the same air mass that’s on top of Western Canada, so we’re seeing lots of warm-to-hot air through British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.”
On Sunday, Death Valley, California recorded the hottest temperature anywhere in the world since 1913 at 54.4 degrees Celcius. Thankfully, Lang assures that we will “certainly not” be seeing 50+ degrees in Canada.
For Monday, August 17, the broken heat records include:
With a high of 34 for most of Southern Alberta Tuesday and 33 on Wednesday, Lang says it is possible that even more records will be broken by the end of the week.
The coolest daily high in the current seven-day forecast is a tie between Sunday and Monday with a maximum of 27 degrees.
She is urging everyone to stay safe from the extreme heat, especially as the daily lows are still fairly warm.
“We used to say, oh, go to the mall, go to the movie theatre where there’s air conditioning and that kind of thing, but it’s a little bit harder to do now with all the restrictions with COVID. Try to find a cool place if you can, benefit from any air conditioning you can, and try to keep yourself as cool as possible.”
Lang is asking everyone to pay particular attention to those who are at a higher risk of complications due to high heat such as young children, the elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.
