The sun sitting above the two communities radiates its solar energy over everything in sight. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Heat Records

Meadow Lake, Flying Dust First Nation shatter heat records throughout infamous heatwave

Jul 2, 2021 | 2:33 PM

The notorious heat wave taking over many areas across the country hasn’t been cutting any communities any slack and the Meadow Lake and Flying Dust First Nation communities are no an exception.

Over the course of the week, these communities have seen several dated records shattered, and there could still be more record breaking ahead.

At the beginning of the week, the heat continued to increase in the area, but fell short of breaking any records. Monday recorded a daytime high of 30.7 Celsuis. The record-high for that June 28 still remains 31.7 C dating back to 2002. The record for June 29 stands at 35.8 C from 1984 as the maximum daytime high on Tuesday only reached 33.7 C.

However, Wednesday did not come to play. The June 30 record of 29.9 C set in 2008 was obliterated with the day’s blazing daytime high of 35.7 C. Following in the footsteps of that performance, the July 1 record was reset when the highest recorded temperature of 33.8 C blasted the previous record of 28.6 C.

With Friday seemingly bringing the current hot streak to an end, all eyes are on this day as it chases the hottest temperature ever recorded in the region… 37.6 C set on June 27, 2002. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather app is expecting the daytime high to top out at 38 C. That figure remains to be seen.

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Meteorologist Terri Lang explains these higher temperatures are a result of the atmosphere’s density. The air mass occupying the region dictates what temperatures will be received by the area.

“It all depends on where the air mass is coming from. What’s going on in the atmosphere with this particular one, is this is the same air mass that is giving the Canadian record high temperatures in Lytton, BC,” Land explained.

“It’s covering all of British Columbia and all of Alberta, which will see all-time records fall today. We’re on the eastern edge of it in Saskatchewan, which is why we’re not going to be getting into the mid-40s. The whole thing is kind of starting to collapse but we’re still going to be in that hot air for a couple of days before the whole thing kind of slides southward, and it’s not so much that we’re going to get a cooling off, we’re just going to become less hot.”

She added meteorologists often use the atmospheric heights to help determine what range of temperatures the region could receive. Lang stated the figures that are being recorded right now have never been seen before.

With all of that in mind, Lang recommended residents try to avoid being in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. More specifically, during the early afternoon hours as those are when the temperatures are at their highest. She said enjoying the weather during earlier or later periods will help residents stay cooler easier while having mildly less drastic effects and decreased risks of heat-related ailments.

“Just take it easy in the heat. I mean, it was -40 degrees this winter, and we wait all year for this, but just take it easy.”

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp