It's been 10 years since the Big Flood. How the changing climate is shaping life in Calgary
CBC
In the decade since the Big Flood of 2013, Calgary has seen a number of extreme weather events and scorching, smoky summer days.
Four Calgary disasters are included in the Insurance Bureau of Canada's Top 10 list of costliest years for insured losses in Canada — three since the flood, the fourth occurring the year before.
The past decade has seen a surprise September snowfall in 2014, a devastating hailstorm in 2020 that resulted in $1.2 billion in damages, and a sweltering and deadly heat dome in the summer of 2021.
A number of "catastrophic" weather events have been recorded in almost every year since June 2013, resulting in billions of dollars in damages.
It was the $5-billion flood in 2013 that jolted many Calgarians into a serious conversation about the impact the changing climate is having on the city and southern Alberta.
There have been dozens of extreme heat warnings and air quality advisories because of smoke from wildfires.
The number of smoke hours has increased along with the average summer temperature.
Since the flood, Calgary has recorded 32 new record high temperatures.
The average number of warm nights has increased, something that is linked to an increase in hospital visits.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued 20 heat warnings in Calgary covering 113 days between 2017 and 2022. The warnings are issued when the daytime temperature reaches at least 29 C or the nighttime temperature stays at 14 C or higher for two consecutive days.
Over that same period, there were 28 special air quality statements covering more than 70 days due wildfire smoke. The number of thunderstorm hours observed at the airport has also increased.
"We've had incredible hailstorms. We've had 'Snowtember' events, more of these damaging storms. We are seeing heavier snow storms through the winter and we're seeing more rain at more times of the year than what we would have traditionally seen going back in the climate record," said Jillian Curley, acting leader with the city's climate adaptation team.
The city also says there has been an increase in intense rainfalls and bigger snowfalls during individual snow events.
The seasons are shifting, with a later fall frost and an earlier start to spring (this May was the second hottest on record for Calgary.)
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
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