Calgary under heat warning: ECCC

Calgarians will feel the heat this week before some much-needed showers are set to arrive over the weekend.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a heat warning for the city, alongside much of southern Alberta.

Temperatures are expected to reach 30 C and above, with little relief coming overnight.

Monday’s high is forecasted as 32 C with a low of 14 C overnight. Tuesday is expected to hit 33 C, coming down to just 15 C overnight, with Wednesday set to be 29 C, followed by 33 C on Thursday.

Rain is supposed to arrive Friday, and continue throughout the weekend.

This latest heatwave comes as yet another Alberta county — Pincher Creek — declares an agricultural disaster.

Related stories:

• ‘The saving grace for agriculture’: Farmers look to irrigation amid climate woes 

• Temporary water stations to be installed in popular Calgary areas

• Calgary’s most vulnerable in distress amid heat wave: Drop-In Centre

The M.D. joins Foothills County, Vulcan County, and the M.D. of Willow Creek in sounding the alarm on extremely dry conditions wreaking havoc on crops.

Residents and visitors of areas impacted by the hot weather are asked to take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbours from heat and heat-related illness.

Good practices included rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day, taking frequent breaks from the heat, drinking plenty of water, and checking for children and pets before exiting the vehicle.

Heat stroke and exhaustion are possible in temperatures this high. Symptoms include high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness.

Infants, children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are at higher risk of experiencing severe effects from the heat.

ECCC says heat warnings are issued when very high-temperature conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, including heat stroke or heat exhaustion.