Heat warnings cover entire province of Saskatchewan

Heat warnings covered the entire province of Saskatchewan like a very warm blanket on Wednesday.

“An upper level ridge has settled over the prairies resulting in clear skies and extreme daytime temperatures along with warm overnight lows,” Environment Canada said in a statement.

The weather service said daytime highs near 30 C are expected to continue until Thursday, but the heatwave will moderate by the end of the week and into the weekend.

Saskatoon and Regina can both expect to reach a daytime high of 32 C on Wednesday, and Environment Canada’s forecast showed highs of 33 C on Thursday in both cities.

While power use tends to spike during heatwaves as air conditioners run at full blast, Rupen Pandya, SaskPower’s CEO, said the province’s power system is ready to handle the increased load.

“They say the system is in good shape, although we expect it to be a bit tight,” Pandya said.

Extreme heat can pose health risks to both humans and animals, the weather service noted.

“Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions,” Environment Canada said.

“Never leave people, particularly children, or pets inside a parked vehicle.”

Josh Hourie with the Saskatchewan SPCA advised pet owners to walk their animals during the morning and evening hours, when temperatures are cooler. He said pet owners can use the “five-second rule” to determine if the temperature outside is too hot for their pet by placing the back of their hand on the pavement.

“If you’re not able to hold your hand on the pavement for five seconds because it’s burning, that means it’s too hot for your pets’ paw pads as well,” Hourie said.

Wildfire smoke affecting central, northern Sask.

In addition to the heat warnings, Environment Canada has issued alerts about wildfire smoke, which is affecting air quality across central and northern Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon.

“The smoke originates from wild fires over northern Alberta, northern British Columbia and the southern Northwest Territories,” the weather service said. “Conditions will improve through the day on Wednesday as a southerly flow develops, ushering the smoke back towards northern Saskatchewan.”

–with files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Shick and 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk