2021-07-28 - Heat Wave

A heat wave hit Alberta and Saskatchewan at the end of July 2021. July 28th-mid-August, 2021. This resulted in observations of fewer mosquitoes and more wasps along with heat stroke for many individuals out too long in the heat.

To blame is what meteorologists have called a heat dome; ridges of high pressure hovering over the Prairies that create an effect much like a pressure cooker. As the Pacific Northwest, just as the Southwest, experienced severe drought conditions, the already warm air was heating more quickly than usual, which intensified the ridge so strongly it caused a heat dome.

Alberta had the third driest July in 140 years worth of date collected. This not only put people at risk, but also the biodiverse area of Pigeon Lake, for overheating and in some cases death of species such as the whitefish. This heat dome was observed to last a number of days and caused the early Fish Kill in 2021.

Link to the Edmonton Journal article on the heat wave HERE.

Link to Wetaskiwin Times post about the Fish Kill 2021, extreme weather event caused by the heat dome HERE.

Environment Canada heat warnings envelop much of the province of Alberta on July 31, 2021. PHOTO BY SCREENSHOT