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By Shaun Penner
Never before seen temps

“It’s rare and it’s historic”: record-breaking temperatures in Grande Prairie’s forecast

Jun 25, 2021 | 5:00 AM

A meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada says temperatures never seen before in Grande Prairie are in the forecast.

Amid a heat wave which has brought with it a heat warning for most of northern Alberta and B.C., Janelle Gergely says temperatures forecasted into next week in the Swan City could be record breaking.

“The forecast is showing the highest temperatures (to) ever hit Grande Prairie,” said Gergely. “Our records tell us that the highest, prior to this, was 35.6 degrees, on July 22, 2006.”

Gergely is calling the heat wave something that comes along once a century, as a prolonged system will begin Friday afternoon with a high temperature near 30 degrees Celsius, climbing to the mid 30’s by Sunday.

By Tuesday and Wednesday, the forecast calls for a high of 39 each day.

To make things even more rare, Gergely says Grande Prairie, on average, sees just three days of 30 degrees or warmer temperatures per year.

With that, she said another milestone could potentially be reached amid the heat wave.

“There has never been an event in Grande Prairie where there has been more than five days in a row with temperatures above 32 degrees,” said Gergely. “So, depending on what that high hits on Saturday, it’s very likely that this could be the first-ever event of such a long duration of heat above 32 degrees.”

She also suggests daily record highs could continue to fall as the heat wave rolls on.

“It’s actually very likely that every single day over the next week will hit a daily record.”

While Grande Prairie will likely see record-breaking temperatures, they will likely not be enough to top the hottest temperature ever recorded in Alberta.

The record was recorded in Bassano, a community 50 kilometres northwest of Brooks, when it reached 43.3 degrees Celsius on July 21, 1931.

“It’s probably unlikely that Alberta will surpass the record, but for areas in the north this is definitely well, well above normal.”

Gergely says while many people enjoy hot days and might be excited for such temperatures to hit the Swan City, it is still a health risk.

“It’s rare and it’s historic, but we are really concerned for people’s health,” said Gergely. “Take it seriously. A lot of people enjoy the heat, but this is going to be very warm.”

She says taking precautions like staying in cool indoor spaces as much as possible, and never leaving children or pets in a parked vehicle are steps residents should take.

“If you have to go outside, try to go out in the morning or evening; take frequent breaks (from the heat); stay hydrated; wear a hat, wear sunscreen.”

Gergely suggests also monitoring for symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting, and unconsciousness.

by Shaun Penner