Edmonton weather: Hot as hell, probably, plus widespread wildfire smoke

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A look at Saturday’s Edmonton weather by Environment Canada.

It’s 20 C at the Edmonton Blatchford weather station early Saturday, with 10 km/h winds out of north, northeast.

You can smell it, taste it but there’s nothing good about what is brewing in this hot as hell kitchen.

The region’s relentless heat wave is now entangled with wildfire smoke from northern Alberta and B.C.’s interior.

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Two weather alerts Saturday for Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park warn of extreme heat of up to 36 C in the coming days and poor air quality due to the smoke, which is also causing visibility issues in some instances. Edmonton’s air quality health index Saturday morning was 10+ or ‘very high risk,’ where activity outside should be avoided.

Late Saturday or overnight thunderstorms may offer brief respite but temperatures will still climb to 32 C Saturday, 34 C Sunday, and 35 C Monday before rain blows in late next week.

“The combination of heat and very poor air quality in smoke will increase the risk to your health,” warns Environment Canada, encouraging everyone to consider rescheduling outdoor plans until things clear.

Everyone needs to watch out for each other in this type of heat event, with the young, old, pets, isolated individuals and outside workers particularly at risk. Needless to say but saying it as a dark reminder: vehicles can become coffins in such fiery temperatures; never leave any living thing inside a parked car, windows cracked or not.

Air quality advisory

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Environment Canada warns that during heavy smoke conditions, “everyone is at risk regardless of their age or health. The fine particles in wildfire smoke pose the main health risk.”

Smoke will make you sick so you need to listen to your body, says the advisory, adding that symptoms from poor air quality include eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as serious but less common chest pains or severe cough. It is smart to reschedule or cancel outdoor sports and events but those who must be outside should consider using a respirator-style mask, like NIOSH-certified N95, though there are still health risks.

Indoor air can also be protected from wildfire smoke with air filter in ventilation systems and certified portable air purifiers that can filter fine particles.

City of Edmonton air quality alert

The City of Edmonton just before noon Saturday activated its extreme weather response for poor air quality, offering supports to keep the public safer. Some measures include offering N95 masks at city facilities like rec centres and pools. Distribution of the masks to agencies serving vulnerable populations is also available, the city said in a news release.

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All windows and doors of buildings and vehicles should be closed as much as possible during periods of poor air quality, the city said, adding that those who can should check in on older family, friends and neighbours.

Edmontonians who are concerned about someone outside can help by calling:

211 and press 3 for the 24/7 crisis diversion team who can assist those in distress and provide transportation to social service agencies.
911 in cases of emergency.

The city says its extreme weather response supplements existing measures implemented by the Sector Emergency Response (SER) group, a collaboration of more than 25 agencies working to ensure vulnerable people are safe during adverse weather conditions.

This extreme weather response for poor air quality is in addition to the city’s extreme heat response due to sustained high temperatures. That activation started July 15 at 9 a.m. and is set to end on Friday, July 26.

Riverhawks baseball game cancelled

There was some crying over baseball later Saturday, after the Edmonton Riverhawks Baseball Club was forced to cancel the evening game at Re/Max Field due to the smokey conditions.

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“The health and safety of our fans, players, performers and employees takes precedence over anything else,” said the team’s website.

“Every fan who has a ticket for tonight’s game will receive a voucher for the same ticket for any other 2024 regular season game. We will email these vouchers to you as soon as possible.

“We are considering making this game up tomorrow. Weather conditions will guide our decision.”

Today’s forecast

Today: Mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of showers late afternoon and a risk of thunderstorm. Widespread smoke. High 32 C. Humidex 38. UV index 7 or high.

Tonight: Partly cloudy with 30 per cent chance of showers and risk of thunderstorm in the evening. Widespread smoke. Low 19 C.

Tomorrow: Sunny, hazy. High 34 C. Humidex 41. UV index 7 or high. Clear overnight. Low 22 C.

Sunrise: 5:32 a.m.

Sunset: 9:48 p.m.

Normals:

Max: 23 C

Min: 12 C

On this day (1996-2023):

Highest temperature: 27.8 in 2008

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Lowest temperature:  7.1 in 1996

Related

Yesterday’s temperature

High: 33.4 C

Low: 19.5 C

Precipitation: 0.0 mm

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