Much of Alberta can expect a heat wave this week, Environment Canada says
A heat wave is expected in parts of Alberta this week, with some areas of the province forecasted to potentially hit record-breaking daily temperatures.
Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke said "a good chunk of the province" could see heat warnings as soon as Wednesday. Most of northern Alberta is already blanketed by a heat warning.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Luke also said there is a chance that Thursday will be the hottest July 31 on record for Edmonton.
"The previous record high was about 31 C. So that's essentially what we're forecasting for Thursday and Friday," Luke said.
However, Luke said that due to the high humidity expected in the Edmonton region, the weather could feel as hot as 37 C.
"So in that regard, [it's] about as hot as it gets."
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Luke said the upcoming hot weather will be a big change from the more temperate and wet weather Alberta has been experiencing this summer.
"In terms of how this summer has been going, we haven't really seen a heat event like this," said Luke.
He said Alberta has not seen consecutive days of hot weather like this since May, and most of the province will experience much warmer overnight weather than usual.
In areas of northern Alberta, such as Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray, temperatures are expected to be above 30°C between Wednesday and Friday.
Areas in southern Alberta will also experience high temperatures this week, with Calgary reaching a high of 28 C on Friday, and Lethbridge and Medicine Hat hitting 30 C and 29 C on the same day.
During a heat warning, Environment Canada recommends that people reschedule outdoor activities, limit exposure to the sun, take frequent breaks from the heat, and drink plenty of water.
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