Extreme heat is on the docket for Calgary on Sunday, with Canada’s weather agency out with a warning as temperatures are expected to rise to 35 C by midweek.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says Sunday will see a high of 30 C, and will gradually increase to nearly 35 C by Wednesday “for many regions of Alberta.”
“Overnight lows in the mid-teens will not provide much relief from the heat,” the ECCC said.
Stuart Brideaux, public education officer with Calgary EMS, says it’s important to prepare if you are heading out by hydrating, wearing sunscreen and getting out of the heat occasionally.
But with temperatures in the late 20s and high 30s, he says people need to be aware of the heat hitting too hard.
If Calgarians feel they’ve been exposed to too much heat, he says to take action.
“Get out of the hot environment as soon as you can. So either in the shade and air-conditioned building air-conditioned vehicle and just begin to take in fluids as tolerated,” he said.
“If it really does move to an endpoint of a dire medical emergency, and that is true heat stroke that’s where the body has lost all its ability to cope with the heat and sign in any way can no longer even sweat, that is a dire medical emergency and 911 should be called.”
ECCC recommends rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day, taking frequent breaks from the heat, and checking on children or pets before exiting a vehicle.
“Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, for any length of time,” a notice reads.
Calgarians are asked to monitor for any symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, which include high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness.
ECCC says attention should be paid to 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, as they can experience earlier or more severe effects from heat.
This comes as the Calgary Stampede got underway on its first weekend, with Saturday having just over 135,000 people in attendance. The total attendance to date is 337,547.
With files from Nadia Moharib