Early heat wave gives Edmonton a taste of summer

As Alberta transitions from spring to summer, residents are already getting an early taste of the season, with temperatures climbing as high as 29 C in Edmonton this week. Meteorologists say it’s a sign of what’s to come, with an above-seasonal summer expected across much of the province.

Amid the first heat warning of the year, Edmontonians were cooling off at the recently reopened legislature fountain.

“I am loving the weather right now. A lot of exciting things are happening in Edmonton — the watch party, getting out into the warm weather down there … this is the golden time,” said Kim, an Edmontonian.

“I love the hot weather, so this is fantastic for me,” said Lisa, another resident.

“I love summer too. I have flowers in my backyard, so I sit out there and enjoy the weather, the sun, the flowers — it’s great,” said Heather.

Environment Canada is forecasting more hot days in the weeks ahead. Edmonton’s average daytime high for July and August is around 22 C, but this year could be one to three degrees warmer.

“Extremes are still possible this summer. I anticipate we’ll probably see many more 30-degree days,” said Alysa Pederson, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.

And those in the air conditioning business are already feeling the heat.

Staff with HVAC contractor Zee Jay Mechanical say they’re installing an average of two air conditioning units per day — and appointments are booking up fast.

“We are completely booked for the next two months. Sometimes we’re even working weekends. We’re finishing this one and heading straight to the next job,” said Yonas Tecle, a gasfitter with the company.

While a warmer summer is good for business, Alberta wildfire crews say the heat increases fire danger and makes their work more difficult.

“There are still some areas in the province where grass hasn’t fully turned green yet, so those fine fuels can ignite really quickly,” said Derrick Forsythe, a wildfire information officer with Alberta Wildfire.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, the province was tracking 41 wildfires — up from 25 the day before.

“We saw it this week — a lightning storm rolled through the Slave Lake area, and that’s where we’re seeing a bunch of new starts,” Forsythe said.

The current heat wave is expected to ease before the weekend, but many Albertans are already planning how to stay cool all summer.

“There’s water at the legislature grounds — come down, splash around and cool off that way,” said Kim.

And maybe skip the blazer next time — unlike this reporter, still sweating it out in 28 C weather.