Edmonton set for prolonged heat wave as warning issued
CBC
Environment Canada has issued an advisory about a prolonged heat event that may stretch on for 10 days with daytime highs between 28 and 35 C for most of Alberta.
Justin Shelley, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC that the peak in temperature is expected to be later this week going into the weekend.
"We have a building upper ridge of high pressure in the atmosphere that's going to more or less centre itself over Alberta for the next week or so," Shelley said.
"People will have to take necessary precautions as this will be a prolonged heat event."
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.
The City of Edmonton has activated its extreme weather response which will include measures to keep vulnerable people safe during the hot weather.
The response is expected to end next Tuesday but may be extended depending on the weather.
This includes increasing access to drinking water with most of the water stations located downtown and on the north side of the city.
A complete list of water stations is available here with stations across the city.
WATCH | Ways to avoid dehydration and heat stroke:
Caitlin Beaton, program manager of homelessness prevention with the city, told CBC the response involves opening city facilities including recreation centres, pools and libraries to ensure access to water.
Beaton said the city works with the Sector Emergency Response, a collaboration of 25 agencies that work to support vulnerable people in Edmonton.
"We work to develop the tools and information that we distribute to our partners and then our partners, which include health services, police, community agencies, drop-ins and shelters, they also work to distribute that information to their people and clients that would access services."
Beaton said that if Edmontonians see others who are in distress, they can dial 211 and press 3 to reach the city's crisis diversion team which will assist.