'Heat dome' settles in across Western Canada, bringing sweltering temperatures

Daily and all-time temperature records are expected to be broken over the coming days as a "heat dome" settles in over Western Canada, from British Columbia into Saskatchewan and up into the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

Last week, CBCmeteorologist Johanna Wagstaffesaid that heat dome is what is expected to breakrecords.

"Sinking air will push down on the air near the ground, basically like a pressure cooker," Wagstaffe said.

"That high is not going anywhere anytime soon."

And climate changes means such trends are not going away anytime soon, Wagstaffe said.

"We're breaking some very old records, and that's always an indication of climate change," she said. "But also we're breaking records from just a couple of years ago.

"And every time we see records that are quite new, it means our baseline is shifting."

WATCH |CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe explains what a heat dome is and why it is set to cook Western Canada:

Heat dome to cook Western Canada as meteorologists forecast record-breaking temperatures

3 years ago

Duration 3:38

CBC Meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe explains what a heat dome is and why it could be responsible for a once in a hundred year heat wave.

Record temperatures

Environment Canadasaid afternoon high temperatures are expected to climb to the mid-30sSunday afternoon before peaking near 40 C in the middle of the week in some regions of southern Alberta.

5 ways to keep your canine cool in the heat

7 years ago

Duration 0:44

Here's a few tips for Fido during the current heat wave.

The agency is urging Albertans to:

• Rescheduleoutdoor activities to cooler times in the day.
• Takefrequent breaks from the heat and spendtime in cool indoor places when possible.
• Drinkplenty of water.
• Never leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle.

The last time Calgary had a stretch with five days of 32 C was in 1914. Edmonton is predicted to break itstemperature record of 37.2 C, which wasset in 1937.

How to keep your house cool

6 years ago

Duration 1:55

Beat the heat without AC by following these cool house tips.

A swath of central and western Saskatchewan, along with parts of the Northwest Territories, are also under a heat warning on Sunday, according to Environment Canada.

B.C. was hottest place in Canada on Saturday

British Columbia shattered temperature records on Saturday, with the village of Lyttonposting the hottest temperature in the country a record-breaking 43.2 C, according to Environment Canada.

It's important for residents tomonitor themselvesfor symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, Environment Canada said.

The high temperatures bring with them an increased risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those with underlying health conditions or those people experiencing homelessness.

Calgary resident Danny Walker was delivering bottles of water on Saturday to The Mustard Seed, a shelter in the city's downtown that has expressed an urgent need for bottled water in recent days.

"We gotta help, that's all," Walker said.

Symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion include high body temperature, lack of sweat, fainting, unconsciousness and confusion.

How to build a DIY air conditioner with about 30 dollars in hardware store parts

8 years ago

Duration 0:53

Beat the heat with this DIY air conditioner. You can pick up all the parts for about $30 from a hardware store.

Little to no reprieve is expected overnightas overnight lows will remain between 15and 25C throughout parts of Alberta.