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Hot summer continues

Heat warning returns for Medicine Hat area

Aug 5, 2020 | 9:32 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A large swath of Alberta is again under a heat warning today.

The heat warnings stretch from the Fort McMurray-Fort MacKay region in the north all the way down the Saskatchewan boundary to the U.S. border, and go west past Edmonton and Calgary.

Temperatures in the Medicine Hat-Bow Island-Suffield region are forecast to reach 32 C in the daytime with overnight lows dipping to around 14 C for the next two days.

It’s expected that temperatures will fall to just below seasonal norms by Friday, to the mid- to high-20s.

Environment Canada is offering advice for people to stay out of the heat and stay safe.

Residents of and visitors to the warned regions are advised to take the following precautions to protect themselves, their families and their neighbours:

  • Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day.
  • Take frequent breaks from the heat, spending time in cooled indoor spaces where possible.
  • Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.
  • Check for your children or pets before you exit your vehicle. Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, for any length of time.

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

Pay particular attention to individuals that can experience earlier or more severe effects from heat including infants, children, seniors, and individuals with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions, outdoor workers, as well as those who are socially isolated.

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

For more heat health advice, visit the Alberta Health Services website.