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By David Opinko

New heat records in 24 Alberta communities Aug. 31

Sep 1, 2022 | 12:55 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The latest heat wave in the province is setting records in many communities.

Environment Canada says Wednesday, August 31, 2022, was the hottest August 31 on record for 22 communities, while another two tied their previous records.

Among the communities with new heat records, the Esther area was the warmest as the mercury hit 35.8 degrees Celsius.

With a maximum of 33.7 degrees, the Three Hills area broke its previous record which was set in 1929.

Lethbridge had its hottest August 31 since 1983 with a high of 33.8.

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New daily maximum temperature records were set in:

• Banff Area
  • New record of 29.8
  • Old record of 29.7 set in 1991
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1887
• Bow Island Area
  • New record of 33.8
  • Old record of 32.7 set in 2017
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1961
• Bow Valley (Provincial Park) Area
  • New record of 31.2
  • Old record of 30.6 set in 1967
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1928
• Breton Area
  • New record of 30.0
  • Old record of 28.9 set in 1940
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1939
• Claresholm Area
  • New record of 33.2
  • Old record of 33.0 set in 1991
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1951
• Cold Lake Area
  • New record of 30.6
  • Old record of 29.4 set in 1991
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1952
• Coronation Area
  • New record of 34.9
  • Old record of 33.3 set in 1940
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1912
• Drumheller Area
  • New record of 35.5
  • Old record of 33.3 set in 1940
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1923
• Edmonton (Int’l Aprt) Area
  • New record of 31.7
  • Old record of 30.0 set in 1967
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1959
• Esther Area
  • New record of 35.8
  • Old record of 32.5 set in 2001
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1985
• Hendrickson Creek Area
  • New record of 27.4
  • Old record of 25.7 set in 2009
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1995
• High River Area
  • New record of 33.4
  • Old record of 32.5 set in 1991
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1913
• Highvale Area
  • New record of 30.3
  • Old record of 27.5 set in 1983
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1977
• Jasper Area
  • New record of 33.1
  • Old record of 32.2 set in 1967
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1916
• Lethbridge Area
  • New record of 33.8
  • Old record of 32.5 set in 1983
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1902
• Milk River Area
  • New record of 34.5
  • Old record of 32.6 set in 2016
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1994
• Nordegg Area
  • New record of 29.9
  • Old record of 28.4 set in 2009
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1915
• Stony Plain Area
  • New record of 30.5
  • Old record of 29.4 set in 1967
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1966
• Sundre Area
  • New record of 31.3
  • Old record of 28.9 set in 2009
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1993
• Taber Area
  • New record of 32.6
  • Old record of 32.5 set in 1983
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1947
• Three Hills Area
  • New record of 33.7
  • Old record of 32.8 set in 1929
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1921
• Wainwright Area
  • New record of 35.0
  • Old record of 33.5 set in 1991
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1966

The following two communities saw their heat records tied on August 31, 2022:

• Red Deer Area
  • Tied record of 31.1 set in 1940
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1904
• Stettler Area
  • Tied record of 33.3 set in 1940
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1918

A Level 2 Heat Alert has been issued for the City of Lethbridge. Officials say that heat waves can cause an increase in heat-related illness, enhanced drought conditions, and can cause a significant long-term draw on power.

Environment Canada forecasts highs above 30 degrees Celsius every day this week in Lethbridge.

READ MORE: Level 2 Heat Alert issued for Lethbridge