Carstairs, Alberta is in for a stretch of warm, sunny weather this week, with daytime highs climbing well above the usual late-July mark. Environment Canada calls for sunny skies starting Tuesday, July 28, after morning fog clears, and temperatures that will top out at 30°C by Saturday. The normal high for this time of year sits around 23°C.
A fog advisory remains in place for Mountain View County near Carstairs early Tuesday morning. Near-zero visibility is expected to clear up by mid-morning. Once the fog lifts, the sun takes over, and the mercury starts its climb. Tuesday reaches 28°C, Wednesday dips briefly to 23°C, then the heat builds again: 25°C Thursday, 29°C Friday, and 30°C Saturday.
The UV index is forecast at 7, or high, for Tuesday and Wednesday. Residents spending time outdoors are encouraged to wear a wide-brimmed hat, tightly woven clothing, and sunscreen on exposed skin. Shade is best during the midday hours when the sun is strongest.
The stretch lines up with heat warnings already posted for southern and east-central Alberta, where temperatures are expected to reach 30°C or more over three consecutive days. The broader trend, flagged by weather forecasters earlier this summer, pointed to warmer-than-normal conditions and periodic heat waves across the province.
Conditions are expected to shift by Saturday night, with a 60 per cent chance of showers before cooler air moves in Sunday. Sunday will be a mix of sun and cloud with a high of 19°C. For most of the week, though, sunny skies and above-normal heat give residents a solid window for outdoor plans.
