A heat wave has settled over the Southwest, bringing scorching temperatures and raising concerns about potential smoke from nearby wildfires.
Samantha Mauti, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, shed light on the ongoing weather conditions and what residents can expect in the coming days.
“Right now, a lot of southwestern Canada is under an upper Ridge, so, there are heat warnings right now on a lot of southern B.C. as well as southern Alberta, and that Upper Ridge is just slightly poking into southwestern Saskatchewan,” she explained.
An upper Ridge pattern typically means a downward motion of air which clears the sky and minimizes clouds.
Mauti indicated that the heat will stick around for today before providing residents with a small break.
“In the middle of this week there is a very weak cool front bringing the temperatures down for Wednesday and then another warm front, another system basically forming in Alberta, bringing a little bit of a warm front that warms up the temperatures again Thursday,” she elaborated. “Then it looks like for Friday and the rest of the week, you go through a little bit of a pattern change. That upper low kind of comes back bringing the possibility of clouds and cooler temperatures.”
Mauti also addressed concerns regarding smoke in the region. Despite ongoing wildfires in southern British Columbia, the current smoke model doesn't predict widespread smoke.
“It's possible that you could be some haziness or some localized smoke, especially because of lots of fires that are happening in southern B.C., but right now it's not looking like anything very widespread,” she stated.
With the heat wave already taking its toll and the potential for localized smoke, residents are advised to take necessary precautions. Staying hydrated, seeking shade, and being cautious about outdoor activities during peak heat hours are essential to avoid heat-related health issues.
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