Calgary's bummer summer weather still dampening spirits this week

CBC

5 days ago

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A dismally damp July is forecast to continue to rain out plans for Calgarians this month, as Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is predicting more precipitation and cold weather this week.
Last weekend brought yet more showers in what's been an unusually rainy July for Alberta, as parts of the province were hit with 20 to 44 mm. ECCC forecasts 10 to 20 mm of rain is possible for Monday evening, along with the risk of a thunderstorm. Another 10 to 20 mm is forecast for Tuesday amid colder temperatures than usual, with a forecasted high of just 11 degrees.
ECCC scientist Christy Climenhaga says a cold front sweeping through Alberta is bringing rainy weather into the Calgary area.
"You can get into these patterns where you do have unsettled weather and periods of instability where you get rain, rain, rain," she said.
Calgary has already received more than its typical share of rain this July, she said, with the roughly 101 mm as of Sunday being far above the usual July average of around 65 mm. The overall poor weather has been punctuated by heavy rainfall events like the one Calgary saw in late June, as well as a major hailstorm earlier this month that damaged trees and cut power to some parts of the city.
Climenhaga says the current cold front is combining with an unsettled pattern in southern Alberta to create inclement weather. She notes that long-term precipitation can be difficult to forecast, because an unexpected thunderstorm or two can easily push an area above its average rainfall amount.
"And then you can get the other side of the coin where you get a big upper ridge that just keeps all systems away that just brings consistent heat and dry weather," she said.
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But Calgary's poor July weather has been surprising because ECCC had hinted at drier-than-normal conditions for southern Alberta this summer.
"It's kind of interesting to see the rain coming after a very dry weather and early start to spring for much of southern Alberta," said Climenhaga.
Poor weather dampening Calgary recreation
Though the rain has been a welcome reprieve from very dry conditions, it also means Calgarians aren't able to spend as much time outdoors.
Rachel Hugh, a league co-ordinator with Calgary Minor Soccer, estimates they've rescheduled well over 400 games this season, with about a dozen more in need of a new timeslot this week.
Wet fields, thunder and lightning and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke have all contributed to Calgary Minor Soccer games being cancelled or abandoned throughout the summer.
"With the forecast that we've had and the forecast that we're expecting, I'm going to assume we're going to have a lot of games that will remain as unplayed this year, just because we can't fit them into the schedule," said Hugh.
The poor July weather also isn't ideal for local recreation companies like Paddle Station. Mike McKeown, who owns the Calgary-based rafting company, says this summer's inclement weather has meant there aren't as many customers looking to paddle the city's rivers.
"Calgary weather can turn on a dime. Sometimes that means it goes from cold to hot, and sometimes that means it goes from hot to cold, and that's part of the deal we signed up for," said McKeown.
"If we know that there's the chance of a thunderstorm in the area, near the river, that's a no go. Whatever we have to do to make sure everyone is safe."
But clearer skies could soon be ahead.