The West sizzles under another heat wave, wildfire smoke pushes east

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

Heat warnings remain in effect across Western Canada through the end of the long weekend. This week could see some relief across British Columbia, with hot weather persisting on the Prairies.

Western Canada is now in the middle of another heat wave as the long weekend progresses. Although it won't be nearly as extreme as the late-June event, temperatures will still be hot and uncomfortable for many. Sunday will see the heat make its way into Alberta and Saskatchewan, along with some of wildfire smoke for the former. The wildfires and smoke continue to make for dangerous air quality across British Columbia. More on the heat, smoke, and a chance for relief for some, below.

SUNDAY: SMOKE BLANKETS B.C., HEAT SPREADS INTO ALBERTA

The dominant ridge of high pressure over western North America won't be going anywhere Sunday. In fact, it will hover over the region into the coming week.

Temperatures are quite warm beneath the ridge, which may allow for communities in southeastern B.C. to approach the mid-30s on Sunday.

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Alberta and Saskatchewan, meanwhile, will feel the heat, as well. Daytime highs will stretch into the low- to mid-30s across both provinces, while the feels-like will climb into the mid-30s. The hot conditions will be felt as far north as the Northwest Territories, where heat warnings stretch into Yellowknife.

There are more than 200 active wildfires across B.C. still, with smoke remaining to be a health hazard as air quality remains dangerous for some communities.

SEE ALSO: Dangerous B.C. air quality is among the worst on the planet

Smoke will begin to spread toward the coast, as well, which could lead to air quality issues in parts of the Fraser Valley.

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BC smoke (Aug 1)

Finally some much-needed relief is headed for parts of southern B.C., with showers and a thunderstorm risk Sunday. This is all thanks to a boost in moisture centred around the upper-level ridge.

Some communities even saw measurable rain on Saturday. An additional 5-10 mm of rain is not out of the question. It isn't a ton, but any little bit helps for the wildfire-stricken province.

MONDAY: HOT TEMPERATURES, SMOKE SPREAD OVER THE WESTERN PRAIRIES

The ridge will hang on to start the week on the Prairies, but an upper-level low will approach the Pacific coast later on Monday. This will provide more of an onshore and stronger winds aloft, helping the situation in B.C., but will shift the majority of the smoke onto the Prairies.

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Daytime highs could approach 30°C once again in the southern half of N.W.T., and overnight lows there might not cool much below the upper teens. Yellowknife typically sees a high of around 20°C at the beginning of August.

Farther south, the heat will persist for parts of Alberta and begin to spread into Saskatchewan. Temperatures will reach the 30-degree mark in Edmonton on Monday, with highs in the lower 30s common in southern sections of Alberta and Saskatchewan.

THE WEEK AHEAD: SLIGHTLY COOLER IN B.C., HEAT CONTINUES ON THE PRAIRIES

The ridge responsible for this weekend’s warmth will slowly weaken and push off to the east, allowing temperatures to return closer to seasonal across much of British Columbia. An approaching trough could bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms later in the week.

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Temperatures will remain well above-seasonal on the Prairies through the coming week, with highs around or above 30°C common across southern parts of the region through next weekend.

Check back for the latest forecast across Western Canada.