Heat advisory issued for Calgary as forecast calls for temperatures up to 30 C

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The sun continues to shine on Calgary for the Stampede, and with high temperatures in the forecast, weather experts are urging residents to take a few extra precautions before reaching the halfway point.

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Environment Canada issued a heat warning early Tuesday morning, with temperatures expected to reach 30 degrees for the rest of the week. Forecasters anticipate Wednesday to feel a bit cooler, with possible thunderstorms forecast, but temperatures should return to the 30s by the weekend. With overnight lows around a balmy 15C, there’s little chance things will cool down once the sun goes down.

“If you’re at the Stampede Fairgrounds, there’s probably not a lot of shade,” said Sara Hoffman, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. “You will probably find yourself in direct sunlight in those high temperatures. So in conditions like that, it’s going to be important for people to take a lot more care of themselves.”

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At Stampede, massive crowds, larger than those seen at the last pre-pandemic Stampede in 2019, are anticipated to make the sweltering heat feel even hotter and further increase competition for shaded relief.

Hoffman said residents should avoid being outdoors in the hottest hours of the day, take frequent breaks in cool indoor areas and drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated. He also said to keep a close eye on children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions who may be at more significant risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

With a cooler-than-usual summer up to this point, Hoffman urged all residents to be vigilant, as the sudden warmer weather could feel like a “shock to the system” even for those in the best of health, as most have not yet acclimatized to the heat. .

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“Check with yourself,” he said. “Am I getting a little dizzy? Am I starting to feel really tired? Do I feel a little dizzy? I have been sick? These are all signs of heat illness, and it’s important to take them seriously because they can get worse if not addressed.”

Hoffman suggested that Stampede attendees get a weather app that will send alerts to their phones so they can stay informed and prepare ahead of time for severe weather, whether it’s thunderstorms or extreme heat.

The heat advisory could remain in effect through Saturday.

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Twitter: @miguelrdrguez