Heat wave holds on as warnings continue

Monday will be another day to hide in the air conditioning or find lots of shade and water as southern Saskatchewan remains under a heat warning.

The heat warnings stretch from the Alberta to Manitoba borders from Maple Creek and Cypress Hills all the way to Carlyle and Oxbow in the southeast. The warnings also cover the Moose Jaw and Regina areas and stretch south to the U.S. border.

“There’s a ridge of high pressure currently over east-central Saskatchewan and that’s going to be pushing off to the east today,” Environment Canada meteorologist Justin Shaer said early Monday. “Then behind that, you’re going to be getting a southerly flow pumping heat into southern Saskatchewan.”

A reprieve from the heat is expected Tuesday evening.

“We do have a cold front that’s going to be coming across Tuesday night so that’s going to bring a bit cooler air and drier air into the region, so we’re not expecting the heat warnings to continue past Tuesday evening,” Shaer said.

Heat warnings are issued for extended periods with temperatures hitting above 32 C and overnight lows in the mid-teens.

These high temperatures pose a higher risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Symptoms to watch out for include high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting and unconsciousness.

Young children, seniors and people with pre-existing health conditions of the lung, heart, kidney or nervous system as well as those with diabetes or mental illness are particularly at risk, as are outdoor workers and people who are socially isolated.

A similar heat wave was a factor in dozens of deaths last week in Quebec.