Extreme temperatures expected across Alberta Monday

Scorching heat is on the menu Monday for Calgary and much of Alberta, in what many are expecting to be the hottest day of the summer.

If you are spending any time in the heat today, it’s important to slather on the sunscreen, drink lots of water, and take frequent breaks from the sun, when you can.

The temperature is expected to reach a high of 32 C today.

Other places in the province will feel uncomfortably hot as well.

Drumheller is expected to reach 37 C, while Medicine Hat could be the hottest place in Canada — hitting a scorching 38 C.

Rob Griffith with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says it’s possible some records could be broken.

“Certainly very warm temperatures, now that said, a lot of daytime high records around the province this time of the month are sort-of mid-30s,” he said. “So, it’s peak summer.

“These are potentially some record-breaking temperatures that we’ll see.”

Following Monday’s extreme heat, temperatures are set to drop to more tolerable levels.

Griffith says there are steps you can take to manage in the heat.

“Things like closing the drapes in the afternoon and keeping the hot air out of your house as best you can, opening the windows at night and scheduling your outdoor activities in the early morning when it is coolest if you can reschedule,” he explained. “We do run into problems where the heat sort of builds up over time and people don’t notice that their bodies are overheating.”

ECCC is also asking people to look out for themselves and other, vulnerable neighbours who may be at risk for heat-related illness.