Wildfire smoke started moving into Alberta overnight prompting Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to issued yellow-level air quality warnings along the foothills west of Calgary and the QEII on Thursday. Yellow and orange-level air quality warnings have been issued for British Columbia with the national weather agency explaining smoke is “causing or expected to cause” poor air quality and reduced visibility. “During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.” A persistent ridge of high pressure situated over the eastern prairies will produce a long-duration heat event starting Friday and continuing into next week. Early Thursday, ECCC issued a special weather statement for southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, noting temperatures will approach the 30 degree mark on Friday and climb to the mid 30s by the end of the weekend. “Conditions will be particularly muggy this weekend, especially in regions along and south of the Trans-Canada Highway, with humidex values approaching 45 on Sunday,” ECCC said. As expected, there were some moderate-to severe thunderstorms across central Alberta and Saskatchewan on Wednesday night, with reports of a possible tornado around the Dillberry Lake area. More showers and thunderstorms are possible Thursday in those same areas. Just after 10:30 a.m., Environment Canada issued a yellow-level severe thunderstorm watch around Calgary, saying conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain. “There is also a risk of a tornado. Severe thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and persist through the evening.” Daytime highs will remain above seasonal in Calgary for the next week and a half, and heat-initiated thunderstorms are possible for at least the next few afternoons and evenings. Overnight values will range from 11 C to 14 C in Calgary compared to the average low of 9 C.
