Banff is in for a soggy and smoky start to the week, with Environment Canada forecasting rain and cloudy skies through Thursday and a special air quality statement in effect for the area. The wet weather follows heavy rain in early June that has kept the Bow River running high, and officials are reminding everyone to stay away from the riverbanks.
According to Environment Canada, daytime highs will hover between 14°C and 19°C until Thursday, with overnight lows dipping to around 6°C. Rain and the chance of thunderstorms are expected each day until Friday, when the forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud. A mix of sun and cloud should finally return by the weekend, with Sunday reaching 24°C.
The Weather Network shows the greatest thunderstorm risk on Tuesday afternoon, with a 70 percent chance of rain and 2 to 4 millimetres expected. The unsettled pattern will likely put a damper on outdoor Canada Day plans.
Adding to the murky conditions, a yellow air quality warning remains in place because of wildfire smoke drifting down from northern Saskatchewan. The smoke may cause reduced visibility and breathing difficulties, especially for people with health issues. “Smoke from northern Saskatchewan has moved into portions of Alberta,” the warning states. “The smoke is expected to remain in the province for the next couple of days causing fluctuating reduction in air quality.”
The Bow River is still running more than double its normal flow for this time of year, a result of rapid snowmelt combined with recent heavy rain. While current levels are well below the catastrophic 2013 floods, the Town of Banff deployed Tiger Dams as a precaution during the earlier high-water period and closed several low-lying trails and playgrounds near the water. Mayor Corrie DiManno urged everyone to keep their distance from the river. “The river is moving really fast with all sorts of debris in there that you can’t see because it’s so muddy,” she said.
