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UPDATE: Heat wave on the way for central Alberta

30 C high forecast for Wednesday
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Aspen Wilson, 2, of Red Deer tested the waters at Blue Grass Sod Farm Central Spray and Play on Tuesday. (Photo by SUSAN ZIELINSKI/Advocate staff)

A heat wave is forecast for Alberta beginning Wednesday and lasting until Friday.

Environment Canada said Albertans can expect daytime highs ranging between 28 to 35 C, and overnight lows between 13 to 18 C.

The department issued a special weather statement for central Alberta, including Red Deer.

The forecast for Red Deer was 26 C on Tuesday, 30 C on Wednesday, 29 C on Thursday, and 25 C on Friday.

“It’s typical for this time of year to have a daytime high around 19 C, and an overnight low around 7 C,” said Kyle Fougere, meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“We’re not forecasting any record highs for the Red Deer area, but they will be near record. They are well above seasonal.”

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Red Deer’s record high for June 1 is 31.5 C set in 1986, for June 2 the record is 31.1 C (1937), for June 3 it’s 32.8 C (1970), and for June 4 it’s 32.2 C (1961).

Fougere said the last time Red Deer went above 30 C during the same period was a three-day heat wave in 1970.

To qualify as a heat wave, there must be daytime highs of at least 29 C, and overnight lows of at least 14 C, for two days in a row.

“If the overnight low is still quite warm, than people’s bodies can’t recover as much, so they’re affected by the heat more.”

He said to beat the heat, people should take breaks, stay hydrated, and move activities to cooler hours.

Red Deerians may opt to stay cool by visiting Blue Grass Sod Farm Central Spray and Play or the water feature at Kin Kanyon. Both opened for public use May 29.

The outdoor pool at the Recreation Centre opens on June 3. Household activity reservations and lane swim individual reservations are required.

Related:

Heat wave: Central Alberta communities tie temperature records

Fougere said a ridge of high pressure building into the province brought the high temperatures and clear skies for most of the week. By Friday and Saturday, a low-pressure system will come through and bring in some cooler temperatures and showers.

He said it’s pretty common to see thunderstorm activity after heat waves. June and July are when Albertans see the most precipitation.

“In the Red Deer area, June does beat July as the wettest month on average, with an average of 88.3 mm of precipitation.”



szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

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