Environment Canada says several communities in southern Alberta set new heat records on December 6, 2023. (Photo: Marianvejcik | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

123-year-old heat record broken in southern Alberta

Dec 7, 2023 | 4:58 AM

PINCHER CREEK, AB – Several new heat records were set across the region.

Environment Canada says it was the warmest December 6 on record in seven local communities.

The Pincher Creek area broke its record that had been standing since 1900, reaching 12 degrees Celsius. The old record was 10.6.

The warmest town was Milk River, which reached 16 degrees, toppling the previous record of 11.5 set in 2020.

The full list is as follows:

IN THE COMMUNITY

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16h ago

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IN THE COMMUNITY

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• Bow Island Area
  • New record of 15.1
  • Old record of 13.2 set in 2000
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1961
• Cardston Area
  • New record of 15.3
  • Old record of 12.2 set in 1965
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1918
• Crowsnest Area
  • New record of 9.1
  • Old record of 8.0 set in 1987
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1965
• Medicine Hat Area
  • New record of 15.4
  • Old record of 14.7 set in 1987
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1883
• Milk River Area
  • New record of 16.0
  • Old record of 11.5 set in 2020
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1994
• Pincher Creek Area
  • New record of 12.0
  • Old record of 10.6 set in 1900
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1893
• Waterton Park Area
  • New record of 12.5
  • Old record of 11.0 set in 1987
  • Records in this area have been kept since 1976

The warm temperatures come ahead of a change in the weather, with snow in the forecast for Thursday.

Environment Canada is forecasting 10 cm. for the Cypress Hills region overnight, and a snowfall warning is in place.

However, a long range outlook says temperatures will be back in double digits at Medicine Hat next Wednesday.