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TENILLE TELLMAN
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Medicine Hat was one of several
municipalities across the province this week to break temperature
records and force residents to find ways to stay cool.
Environment Canada’s information
bulletin originally stated the 1964 record of 37.2 C for Aug. 18
was broken this year when temperatures reached 37.7 C. Environment
Canada meteorologist Dan Kulak says once data was processed it
appears the temperature actually reached 38.1 C in the late
afternoon.
Other municipalities faced blistering
temperatures and more than a dozen records around Alberta were
surpassed Monday. Communities such as Drumheller also reached 38.1
C and Calgary was recorded at 33.7 C for Aug. 18.
“It is some excitement but
it’s not a big shocker. It’s just a par for the course,
records are made to be broken,” said Kulak.
There is no “universal
definition” for a heat wave, but Kulak says Western Canada
— and the prairies in particular — are certainly
feeling heat well above normal temperatures.
Data for Tuesday was not official until
midnight, but according to the Environment Canada website,
temperatures peaked at 34 C.
Temperatures are expected to return closer
to the normal range — usually 26 C — later this week.
Forecasts say today will reach a high of 28 C and Thursday will be
22 C.
The dry heat has not led to any humidex
concerns for meteorologists, but health officials are concerned too
much exposure can certainly be a risk. People do not have to be
directly exposed to sunlight and run the risk of heat stroke,
according to Ann Pudwell, health promotion facilitator, injury
prevention with the Palliser Health Region.
Hatters need to stay hydrated, especially
if they are working outdoors. People in the heat should be drinking
two glasses of water an hour and keeping an eye on their peers.
Signs of heat stroke include less frequent
trips to the restroom, when the body stops perspiring and signs of
dehydration such as dizziness or confusion.
“You want to put the person in the
shade, out of the sun, and try to have them drink,” if they
are demonstrating these symptoms, says Pudwell. “If
they’re throwing up, you should phone 911 because they
won’t be able to get re-hydrated.”
On a normal sunny day, the inside of a
vehicle can reach 50 C within 20 minutes, so people should be
mindful to not leave infants, animals or anything living in their
vehicle. People can make shade for themselves in the extreme heat
by covering up with clothing and planning their time outdoors in
the early morning or evenings. |
