Cochrane has been basking in an unusually warm September, and the heat could break a daily temperature record this week.
"So far, things in the region have been warmer than normal," says Christy Climenhaga, a scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. "It really started with a heat event that set in late in August and lasted into the first few days of September."
Climenhaga says daytime highs have been in the 20s for most of the month. "We did see that upper ridge earlier in the month bringing in some of that warmer than normal weather into parts of southern Alberta."
Despite the heat, no records have been broken yet. "Most of our records for heat in September for the Cochrane area are in that 25 to 27 degree range."
"Especially as we get through the next couple of days, it looks like we could be pretty close to a daily temperature record."
The current record for September 17 is 26.2 C, set in 1994. Forecasts are calling for a high of 27 C.
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Looking ahead, Climenhaga says this warm spell might be a preview of the season to come. "Our seasonal forecasts have that continuing, for the next three months, it does look like most of our models are pulling in warmer than normal conditions."
She adds that doesn't mean every day will be hot, but there is a better chance of above-normal days than below-normal ones this fall.