City urges you to be prepared as Calgary could see ‘potentially historic’ heat wave
Posted Jun 24, 2021 5:37 pm.
Last Updated Jun 25, 2021 6:24 am.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The City of Calgary is urging citizens to be cautious as Environment Canada is forecasting multiple days in the mid-30 C next week.
“This is not a typical heat wave as both the magnitude and the duration of this event is potentially historic,” said Kyle Fougère, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“We’re forecasting temperatures of 35 C or greater for several days next week for Calgary, which will likely break daily temperature records, but It could also break the all-time June maximum temperature record of Calgary of 35 C, which was set in 1926.”
“We may even threaten the all-time Calgary maximum temperature record, which is 36.5 C, set in August 2018.”
Fougère added the maximum temperature could reach or exceed 32 C for five or six days straight.
The last time Calgary experienced a stretch with five days of 32 C was in 1914.
“This has the potential to be the most significant heat event that anyone living has experienced in the City of Calgary.”
Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency Sue Henry says citizens should be drinking plenty of water before they feel thirsty to decrease the risk of dehydration, put on sunscreen and wear loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
“If you can avoid working or exercising in the heat and humidity, please do so,” she said.
“If it cannot be avoided, be sure to take regular breaks, drink lots of water, and maintain salt levels in your body and avoid high protein foods.”
With a significant risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or death, Henry says people should reach out to seniors and those that live alone who might need assistance or extra support.
Water wagons will be available in some areas of the city to provide access to drinking water. Citizens will need to bring a water bottle to access the water wagon.
The city is also prepared to activate additional cooling centres or cooling buses if needed in the coming days.
For other extreme heat safety tips, visit Calgary.ca.
