Heat warnings remain in effect for parts of southern Alberta

Heat warnings remain in effect for several regions of southern Alberta, with temperatures forecast to cool this evening before warming again on Thursday and into the weekend, according to Environment Canada. 

Environment Canada has heat warnings in effect for the following regions: 

• City of Calgary
• Bonnyville-St. Paul-Cold Lake-Lac La Biche
• Drumheller - Three Hills
• Lloydminster-Wainwright-Vermilion-Provost
• Brooks-Strathmore-Vulcan
• Cypress Hills Provincial Park-Foremost
• Hanna-Coronation-Oyen
• Medicine Hat-Bow Island-Suffield
• Okotoks-High River-Claresholm

Most of those regions, including the City of Calgary, are expected to reach 30 C, with overnight lows near 15 C.

Andrew Palmer, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said temperatures should moderate Thursday before climbing into the mid-30s on the weekend.

Residents in these areas should protect themselves from the heat by taking precautions like wearing light-coloured, loose fitting clothing and take regular breaks from the sun.

Palmer said the number one rule to remember is to stay hydrated. He also said southern Albertans should avoid strenuous activities during the warmest hours of the day, from about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

"If you have any elderly neighbours, it's great to check in on them to make sure they're doing okay, especially if they don't have air conditioning," said Palmer. 

Environment Canada also stated on their website that people should not leave children or pets inside a closed vehicle, as temperatures can rise very quickly, even with the windows down.

Brad Nichols with the Calgary Humane Society that leaving your pet in a car is not only dangerous for the animal, but can also lead to legal consequences.

In the upcoming days, he said it's important to ensure pets are getting plenty of water and to keep walks short as the pavement heats up.

Look for signs of heat exhaustion 

Palmer said it's crucial for Albertans to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, especially when temperatures get up to the mid-30s this weekend. 

"It's very important not to let yourself get overheated," he said. 

Signs of heat exhaustion include a high body temperature, confusion, fainting, lack of sweat and unconsciousness, according to Environment Canada. 

Another tip Palmer mentioned is for gardeners: water more often, but not during daylight hours as "the water just immediately evaporates," he said. 

"You'd want to be watering in the evening, early morning."

Staying safe on the water

If you go to a lake or river to escape the heat, Carol Henke with the Calgary Fire Department said that it's important to wear life jackets, keep a close eye on children along shorelines and not to tie rafts together.

"Things can go wrong on any body of water in any river, no matter how small it might be, if you're not taking all of the precautions … and if you get on the river thinking there's no risk," said Henke.

What's unique about this week's heat warnings is that they're the first for Alberta this year. Palmer said normally by mid-July there would already have been at least one round of heat warnings, but this year's spring was fairly cool.

"This is nowhere near last year's heat events at this point," said Palmer.

More information on heat warning precautions is available on the Alberta Health Services website.