Temperatures soar in Calgary as thousands attend Stampede
Posted Jul 8, 2024 7:04 am.
Last Updated Jul 9, 2024 1:55 pm.
Hot weather will continue to persist in the city this week, as the Calgary Stampede is in full swing.
A heat warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) first issued Sunday is expected to last for most of the week.
The agency says extremely hot temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees combined with overnight lows of 14 C or higher are expected until at least mid-week.
Daytime highs will gradually increase for many regions of Alberta and overnight lows in the mid-teens won’t provide much relief from the heat, it adds.
Calgary EMS public education officer Stuart Brideaux says for those planning to head out into the heat, it’s important to prepare by hydrating, wearing sunscreen, and getting out of the heat occasionally.
But with temperatures in the late 20s and high 30s, he says people need to be aware of the heat hitting too hard.
If Calgarians feel they’ve been exposed to too much heat, Brideaux says they need to take action.
WATCH: Stampede goers prepare for heatwave
“Get out of the hot environment as soon as you can. So either in the shade and air-conditioned building air-conditioned vehicle and just begin to take in fluids as tolerated,” he said.
“If it really does move to an endpoint of a dire medical emergency, and that is true heat stroke that’s where the body has lost all its ability to cope with the heat and sign in any way can no longer even sweat, that is a dire medical emergency and 911 should be called.”
ECCC recommends rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day, taking frequent breaks from the heat, and checking on children or pets before getting out of a vehicle.
Calgarians should watch for any symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, which include high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness.
ECCC says attention should be paid to babies, children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions, outdoor workers, as well as those who are socially isolated, as they can experience earlier or more severe effects from heat.
High heat is also expected in southern Saskatchewan, with temperatures in Regina hovering around 30 C for the entire week.
Many parts of British Columbia have been under advisories and warnings about scorching temperatures for the last few days.
-With files from Alejandro Melgar and The Canadian Press
