High pressure system builds; smoke and heat drive in around Calgary
Air quality advisories to the left of me, heat warnings to the right, here we are, stuck in the middle … There have been no major developments compared to where we got started Monday for the long-range forecast: it'll continue warming, it'll stay smoky, and that smoke volume is likely to increase this evening.
Let's discuss Newton's third law of meteorology (which I just made up): for each positive action, there is always a way to create a perceived negative reaction.
In this case, we have a high-pressure ridge to thank. Normally, these create benign conditions; you get sunshine, you get light wind, and in the summertime, they translate to warmth.
These effects occur under a subsident atmosphere; the contents of a high-pressure zone "subside" – they drop from the upper atmosphere to the lower. When air rises, it cools and can condense into cloud; when air sinks, as in high pressure, it warms and limits cloud growth.
This means the same guiding wind that has left smoke in our upper atmosphere will be contributing to its descent nearer to ground-level.
If you're reading this before noon and have plans in the Calgary area outdoors (walking the dog, walking the kids, walking the dog and the kids, walking yourself), the best bet is to get it out of the way early. Check our air quality before you head out.
As I was saying in Tuesday's article, it shouldn't be a surprise to see both an air quality advisory and a heat warning hit Calgary by Saturday. There is potential for overlap between these undesirables, too.
Your five-day:
Wednesday
- Mainly "sunny," smoke
- Daytime high: 24 C
- Evening: hazy, low 16 C
Thursday
- Mainly "sunny," smoke
- Daytime high: 26 C
- Evening: hazy, slight chance for a thundershower, low 15 C
Friday
- Mainly "sunny," smoke
- Daytime high: 30 C
- Evening: hazy, low 16 C
Saturday
- Sunny
- Daytime high: 30 C
- Evening: mainly clear, low 17 C
Sunday
- Sunny
- Daytime high: 30 C
- Evening: mainly clear, low 15 C
In pictures today, we're delving into the past couple of days.
Jim is pretty sure this is Roseberry Mountain. He took the photo Monday.
And Jan caught this one Monday, too.
Thank you for sending, all! You can submit your weather photos here, or email me: Kevin Stanfield , OR you can just tweet at me!
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.