This could be hottest day city has ever seen
From frequent breaks for people who work outside, to sprinklers and ice treats for animals, Calgary is preparing for what could be record high temperatures Friday.
According to Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor, forecasters are expecting the weather to reach a high of 36 C. The current record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Calgary is 36.1 C, a mark reached on both July 15, 1919, and July 25, 1933.
Some local meteorologists expect to see that record broken Friday, but Proctor says wildfire smoke could deflect some of the heat.
“I wouldn’t be surprised for us to see sort of 34 C to 36 C( Friday ), somewhere in that range, depending on how thick the smoke is, but it’s going to be very close to a record,” Proctor said.
While smoke from B.C. wildfires is slightly reducing the incoming energy from the sun, Calgary is expected to at the very least break the record for the highest temperature ever recorded on Aug. 10 (with the current bar set at 32.2 C).
On Thursday, Calgary’s high temperature of 33 C broke the previous record for Aug. 9 of 32.7 C, recorded in 1991.
Proctor said typically at this time of year, Calgarians experience a high temperature of about 23.4 C.
“We’re way, way above what we normally would experience,” he said.
With both a heat warning and a precautionary air-quality advisory in effect, the City of Calgary has advised managers, safety advisers and employees to schedule any non-essential or strenuous outdoor activities outside of the hottest part of the day, such as before 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Staff are also encouraged to stay hydrated, have healthy snacks on hand, take breaks in cool-down areas and wear sunscreen.
“Also, one of the important messages that we’ve been sending out to our employees is how to watch for signs of heat-related issues,” Proctor said.
That includes keeping an eye out for initial symptoms such as muscle cramps, and signs of heat exhaustion such as nausea and weakness. In the case of suspected heat stroke and symptoms such as headache, confusion and loss of consciousness, staff are urged to call 911.
Due to the heat and air-quality advisories, City of Calgary Recreation cancelled several outdoor activities scheduled for Thursday and Friday, such as mobile skate parks, and moved other programs indoors.
Anyone with questions about programs can call 311.
At the city’s outdoor pools, staff are prepared for an influx of swimmers escaping the heat.
“I’m sure they’re staffing to the maximum (for Friday),” said Jenny Jensen, executive director of the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pools Association.
“They also shorten their rotations so that the staff aren’t on deck as long.”
At the Calgary Zoo, staff have been adjusting visitor programs for the heat and ensuring that the animals are staying cool.
Spokeswoman Trish ExtonParder said some of the steps zookeepers are taking include setting up sprinklers in various habitats, such as the lemur and penguin areas, providing cool pads, ensuring shade is accessible and serving ice treats. And if visitors can’t spot an animal in their enclosure, it might be because they are cooling off in an air-conditioned area in the back.
“So people have to be a little bit more patient in the hot weather that some animals may not be particularly visible or playful right now,” said Exton-Parder.
With heat warnings also in place in many other parts of the province, the Alberta government issued a statement Thursday reminding employers and workers to take precautions in the current conditions.
“Albertans working outside, or indoors where there is no air conditioning, should take precautions against the heat,” Labour Minister Christina Gray said.
“Employers also have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment and should be familiar with prevention strategies.”
Recommendations for employers include providing sufficient cool drinking water for employees, creating a cooling station where workers can rest, reducing physical activity through extra breaks and trying to direct work to a cooler, shaded area.