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Extreme heat has taken hold of Calgary and much of Alberta with temperatures expected to reach 35 C during the final week of Stampede.

Environment Canada issued warnings for “extremely hot temperatures of 30 to 35 C combined with overnight lows of 14 C or greater” expected to begin Sunday in Calgary.

Rob Griffith, lead meteorologist with Environment Canada, said those temperatures and thus the heat warning are expected to last until Thursday when the daytime high is expected to hit 25 C with an overnight low of 11 C.

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“It’s extremely warm — this type of heat, especially when it lasts for this long, sort of three or four days, it can be dangerous,” said Griffith. “It never fully cools off at night, your house, it can kind of accumulate heat at this time.”

Daytime high temperatures are expected to “gradually build” from 29 C Sunday and through the early parts of this week, peaking on Wednesday at 35 C in Calgary, he said.

“It has the potential to be dangerous, it’s very warm for a long period of time,” Griffith said, advising people “to take precautions and check on more vulnerable people and make sure you’re doing what you can to stay cool and hydrated.”

‘Space to beat the heat and rest your feet’ at Stampede

When it comes to beating the heat, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is no stranger to high temperatures and thunderstorms after 112 years.

Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment at the Stampede, said the safety and comfort of guests is always a priority for the organization.

“Stampede 2024 has really been thoughtfully planned with plenty of space to beat the heat and rest your feet,” said Blizard.

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Saturday’s attendance was 135,645 people, making for a total of 337,547 ahead of Sunday. Numbers for the 2024 event could surpass the 1.38 million attendees the show had last year, officials say.

The additional space gained by the new BMO Centre expansion was well utilized on Sunday, with hundreds crowding the steps and plaza of the building.

A variety of programming both indoors and outdoors allows guests to find the space most comfortable for them during various parts of the day, she said.

Water fountains and filling stations are available across the park in a number of locations, with “additional safety measures” being implemented when temperatures exceed 28 C, according to Blizard.

Additional measures include more water fountains and misters on the Stampede midway.

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Due to water restrictions in Calgary, the Stampede has revised its misting program slightly, only turning them on for public safety between noon and 7 p.m. if temperatures are 28 C or higher, Blizard said.

The Stampede also has other measures in place this year to help reduce reliance on Calgary’s treated water.

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On the grounds Sunday, Sanchit Vachhar and his friend Nicole were soaking up some rays on the midway on a visit from Edmonton.

Both of them had large lemonades in tow and found a water fountain to refill and stay hydrated.

When it came to staying cool, aside from the lemonade, Vachhar said, “We have sunscreen, hat(s) and we ended up spending more time in the food hall.”

Guests to the park are welcome to bring full water bottles or fill at a fountain upon arrival.

The City of Calgary eased water restrictions Saturday, allowing outdoor pools to reopen and lifting a fire ban. Stage 3 restrictions remain, allowing the use of outdoor taps for watering, but only with hand-held containers. Contractors can also use treated water for some construction-related operations such as dust suppression.

‘Team approach’ in caring for animals at Stampede

Approximately 7,500 animals take part in the Calgary Stampede, from horses, cattle, and sheep to pigs, donkeys, goats and poultry.

Making sure all of the animals at Stampede are comfortable, safe and managing high temperatures well takes a “real team approach,” according to agriculture and western events director Kristina Barnes.

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“It’s Stampede staff, it’s our volunteers, it’s the people that own the animals, it’s the caregivers of the animals,” said Barnes.

Many “showcase” animals are indoors in barns, kept cool by air conditioning and fans, Barnes said.

“They aren’t engaged in competition, so they’re in a very calm atmosphere where they’re sitting and relaxing.”

Animals that they focus on the most on a day like Sunday, which neared 29 C, are rodeo and chuckwagon competitors.

“With rodeo, the animals come in in the morning. Pre-rodeo, they aren’t on park for very long and they have access to water immediately post-competition,” she said.

“Just like people they need to have access to water. They (animals) are watched very closely by veterinarians.”

Chuckwagon horses “relax” in their barns between competition, which Barnes said are some of the coolest spots on the park, with cooling fans and misters for the animals.

Clear skies are expected for much of the week, with the potential of thunderstorms Thursday or Friday, said Griffith.

The Environment Canada warning advised that people take precautions and monitor for symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as high body temperature, lack of sweat, confusion, fainting and unconsciousness.

Places east of Calgary also under a heat warning, such as Brooks and Drumheller, could reach 36 or 37 C on Wednesday.

The warnings also extend to Canmore, but not Banff as the overnight lows in the mountain town dip below 14 C.

A heat warning for Edmonton shows the city is expected to experience extreme temperatures similar to Calgary.

— With files from Scott Strasser

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