Environment and Climate Change Canada’s heat warning remained in place Wednesday covering nearly the entire province including in Mountain View and Red Deer counties and nearby urban centres.
The forecast now pegs the heat hitting central and northern Alberta, as well as parts of southern Alberta Thursday.
“Daytime temperatures in the high 20s today will increase to reach 30 degrees Celsius (C) on Thursday,” the federal agency noted in its 4:23 a.m. May 28 weather alert update for the affected areas.
“Overnight lows will be near 14 degrees Celsius. Temperatures will begin to cool on Thursday as a cold front moves eastward across the province.”
Among the areas where the warning has been issued are:
• Mountain View County near Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs, Cremona, Water Valley and Sundre;
• Red Deer County near Penhold, Innisfail, Bowden, Lousana, Delburne, Pine Lake, Spruce View, Red Lodge Provincial Park and Sylvan Lake.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
“Monitor for symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness,” the federal agency’s weather alert said. “Pay particular attention to individuals that can experience earlier or more severe effects from heat including infants, 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.”
The May 28 weather alert advised residents of and visitors to the warned regions to take the following precautions to protect themselves, their families and their neighbours:
• Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day. –
• Take frequent breaks from the heat, spending time in cooled indoor spaces where possible
• Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated
• Check for your children or pets before you exit your vehicle.
• Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, for any length of time.