First heat warning of the year goes to unexpected region
Unlikely region of northern Canada picks up the first heat warning of 2019.
The first heat warning of the year was issued Monday morning, and it's likely in a part of the country that you'd never expect.
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"The Fort Liard region of the Northwest Territories are forecast to reach or exceed 30°C both Monday and Tuesday afternoon," says Weather Network meteorologist Kelly Sonnenburg.
NOTE: The criteria for heat warnings in the NWT is two or more consecutive days of a daytime maximum temperature at or above 29°C and a night time minimum temperature of 16°C or warmer. OR when there are two or more consecutive days of humidex values of 36 or higher.
"Extreme heat affects everyone," says Environment Canada in the warning, also urging residents to check on older family members, friends and neighbours and to stay cool by drinking plenty of water.
HEAT BUILDS ACROSS WESTERN CANADA THIS WEEK
A building ridge in the jet stream will allow temperatures to soar into the high 20s and low 30s for many across western Canada this week.
The extreme heat will be primarily focused to northeastern British Columbia, the southern Yukon, NWT and northern Alberta through Tuesday, but by the mid-week mark, the warmth will also spread into central Alberta and Saskatchewan.
"So cities like Regina and Saskatoon have the chance to possibly join the 30 degree club on both Wednesday and Thursday," Sonnenburg adds. "This is the warmest temperatures these regions have seen so far this year."
While these are very mild temperatures, especially in a spring that's failed to deliver any consistent warmth for much of the country, they likely won't be enough to set any records as Regina and Saskatoon would need to crack the mid-high 30s for it to be considered record breaking.
Will this heat last? All of the details now revealed in our 2019 Summer Forecast.
