By Shane Clausing

record temperatures possible

Record temperatures possible as heat wave heads towards Grande Prairie area

Jun 21, 2021 | 12:26 PM

Temperatures throughout the Grande Prairie area are expected to continue to rise over the next seven days.

Justin Shelley, a Meteorologist with Environment Canada, says most of BC and Alberta will be in the middle of a major heat wave this week.

“We have a very warm air mass developing off the pacific coast mid-week, which is going to further develop and push over British Columbia later this week and into Alberta. It’s going to affect the majority of British Columbia and Alberta for a three-to-five-day period it looks like. It looks like an extended heat event for the region.”

Shelley adds with this heat wave, the Grande Prairie area could see some new daily temperature records broken.

“It looks like the records (for Grande Prairie) in the Friday (June 25) to Monday (June 28) time frame are between 28 degrees and 30 degrees. It’s definitely possible we’ll see some multiple daily records broken during that time period.”

Temperatures will stay mostly seasonal until Thursday when we reach a high of 27 degrees. Friday to Sunday could see the Grande Prairie area potentially reach temperatures as warm as 34 degrees.

Some records that could be broken in the Grande Prairie area haven’t been touched since the 1950s.

With the warm weather heading towards Grande Prairie, Shelley reminds people that it is important for everyone to be careful while out in the heat.

“Extreme heat affects everyone,” explained Shelley.

“In order to reduce your heat risk, first of all, you should try to schedule outdoor activities in the coolest parts of the day. Also drinking water is a great way to stay hydrated and cool.”

Environment Canada is predicting the current heat wave heading for the Swan City will likely end by Monday, June 28. Seasonal temperatures are expected to follow after.