Heat Warnings Issued Across Canadian Prairies

Environment Canada issued heat warnings Wednesday for southern Saskatchewan and parts of southeast Alberta and southern Manitoba. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-90s and remain in the 80s to mid-90s range through at least the weekend and into early next week.

The agency said the heat will spread east and north, easing in Alberta by Friday while remaining anchored over central and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Spring temperatures across the prairies had remained below normal, with snow flurries reported into mid-May in parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A mix of rain and snow fell in Winnipeg a little over a week ago, followed by a rapid rise into the 80s by Tuesday. Officials noted that the shift from cool to hot conditions could leave some residents less acclimated to the heat.

Canada advised residents to stay hydrated and move outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day. Above-normal winter snowfall and recent cool weather had kept wildfire activity lower than last year, but officials warned Tuesday that fire danger had become extreme in southeast Alberta, southern and central Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba.

Breezy conditions accompanying the heat wave are expected to further dry vegetation in the affected areas.