Cochrane sizzled under unusually high temperatures last week, breaking a daily temperature record during a stretch of early-season heat that prompted Environment and Climate Change Canada to issue a heat warning for the region.
According to Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Cochrane hit a high of 30.4°C on Thursday, May 29, breaking the previous record for that date.
“Very hot conditions set up not only in Cochrane but across Alberta,” Climenhaga said. “We had 23 daily high temperature records broken across the province, and Cochrane was one of them.”
While there is a gap in local temperature records from 2015 to 2019, Environment Canada’s calculations still point to a significant milestone for the area.
“From our calculated records, it looks like you did break a record hitting 30.4°C,” Climenhaga explained. “It was your third warmest recorded day ever in May, based on the records we do have.”
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And while heat in May may feel unusual, Climenhaga says it’s not unheard of.
“It may feel early, but heat in May is not entirely out of the ordinary,” she noted. “It can be dangerous when it comes this early in the season because people aren’t quite acclimated."
As Cochrane heads into June, residents can also expect the possibility of wetter weather, as summer tends to bring more precipitation across southern Alberta.
“June, July, and August are typically our wettest months,” Climenhaga said. “We’ll have to see how things shape up, but it’s definitely the time of year to be prepared for more active weather.”