LETHBRIDGE, AB – Nothing seems to be helping the extreme dry conditions we’re dealing with across southern Alberta this summer.
Environment Canada’s Kyle Fougere says this region has seen a fraction of what would be considered normal rainfall since June 1st and there’s not a lot of hope that’s going to change any time soon.
“So, this summer there’s been only about 25 mm of the expected just over 100 mm,” says Fougere. “June is typically the rainy month (in the Lethbridge area) and we missed what would typically fall. There’s not a strong signal for any precipitation in the the forecast. So, it’s been dry and it’s staying dry.”
The last time the Lethbridge region had anything that would be considered average precipitation was back in February. Since then, it’s been well below normal. Fougere says the springtime brought half of what is normal rainfall for the March to May period and it’s just gotten drier and drier.
“June in this area we should be seeing around 82 mm of rain. We had just 14 mm. July is equally as dry with only 10 mm so far,” says Fougere.
On top of that is the smoke and humidity in recent days. Fougere says we should expect smoky conditions to come and go for the next number of weeks, depending on the forest fire situation in B.C.
Over 300 blazes are burning in that province and without any significant rainfall expected, the situation there isn’t getting any better either.
Fougere says thick smoke at times is preventing our temperatures here in southern Alberta from getting as hot as what is being forecast. He notes with another strong ridge of high pressure over this region right now, if it wasn’t for the smoke it would be very hot.
The wildfire risk across this part of Alberta is high to extreme with burning advisories, restrictions, and bans in place.