Environment Canada issues heat warnings for northern, central Saskatchewan

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for northern and central Saskatchewan, warning of daytime temperatures near 30 C over the weekend.

Major communities like Prince Albert, the Battlefords and Lloydminster are all expected to be affected. The warning extends across the province from just north of Saskatoon and Humboldt to the border with the Northwest Territories.

"We just have an upper ridge [of high pressure] ... that just allows heat to build over the area," said Shannon Moodie, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. 

"It happens all through the summer," she said.

Daytime temperatures are expected to decline to the mid-20s by early next week.

An air quality warning was also issued for northern Saskatchewan on Saturday morning, with wildfire smoke expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility across the region. 

"This summer it's been quite prevalent through the northern Prairies. There's been lots of fires through the northern Prairies and we have had quite a a long period of air quality warnings," said Moodie. "And so that's what you see in place there."

Signs of heat exhaustion

Environment Canada is encouraging people to watch for early signs of heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness and intense fatigue. The most immediate way to resolve symptoms is to drink water and slow down physical activity, especially outdoors.

Heat stroke carries many of the same symptoms as heat exhaustion, in addition to red and hot skin, confusion and loss of consciousness. Heat strokes require emergency medical help and should be treated by a health-care provider immediately.

In terms of cooler indoor environments, Environment Canada recommends closing blinds or shades to reduce sunlight, turning on air conditioning and using a fan. Public spaces like cooling centres or community centres are also available to ease heat stress.

Funnel cloud warnings

On Saturday morning, Environment Canada also warned of potential funnel clouds forming in southwest Saskatchewan over the weekend. Funnel clouds are smaller, less intense versions of tornados that pose much less of a threat.

"It's usually associated with thunderstorms that develop quite rapidly and there's just lots of spin in the air that can create those funnels," said Moodie. "Normally, they just remain a funnel cloud and they don't touch the ground, but there are cases and instances where they do touch the ground."

Moodie noted funnel clouds usually don't cause damage, but people should still be aware of them.