By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter) - Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter

Lethbridge sets record breaking 40-degree temperature

Aug 10, 2018 | 10:05 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Residents of southern Alberta are not only coping with forest fire smoke but record-breaking heat.

Several temperature records were broken across the province Thursday, Aug. 9. They include Claresholm, which hit 36.1 (34.8 in 2000); Pincher Creek reached 35.0 (34.0 in 2000); Vauxhall was 35.9 (35.0 in 1930); and Waterton Park Gate hit 34.5 (32.3 in 2000).

Other records were set in Calgary, Sundre, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Jasper, Drumheller, Coronation, and Banff. Edmonton tied its record.

Lethbridge reached 35.9, falling short of the 37.0 record set in 2000.

However, Friday was even hotter, and produced a record-breaking temperature. Lethbridge’s forecast high of 39 C (102 F) was surpassed at 4:00-pm with a temperature of 40 C, breaking a record of 37.6 set in 2003.

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The hottest temperature ever recorded in Lethbridge was 40 C (104 F) set July 12, 1886.

A heat warning remained in effect Friday for the entire area, along with an air quality advisory. The heat wave is expected to break starting Saturday, Aug. 11.  However, the expected showers and cooler temperatures were replaced with 29 C temperatures for the weekend.