26 Sask. communities break daily maximum temperature records on July 1

Temperatures in 26 Saskatchewan communities have soared above the previous records for July 1. 

Meteorologists call this prolonged event a "heat dome" — ridges of high pressure hovering over an area that create an effect much like a pressure cooker. 

Temperatures are likely to fall off within the next few days in Saskatchewan, as the heat dome moves east. The entire province is still under a heat warning Friday. 

Here are the parts of the province that broke July 1 records:

• Assiniboia area: 33.7 C.
• Buffalo Narrows area: 34.0 C.
• Collins Bay area: 37.2 C.
• Coronach area: 34.8 C.
• Cypress Hills Park: 32.6 C.
• Elbow area: 34.2 C.
• Key Lake area: 36.7 C.
• Kindersley area: 37.8 C.
• La Ronge area: 33.8 C.
• Last Mountain Lake area: 33.9 C.
• Leader area: 38.5 C.
• Lucky Lake area: 35.0 C.
• Maple Creek area: 37.6 C.
• Meadow Lake area: 34.2 C.
• North Battleford area: 35.5 C.
• Prince Albert area: 33.2 C.
• Rockglen area: 33.7 C.
• Rosetown area: 36.4 C.
• Saskatoon area: 35.4 C.
• Scott area: 35.5 C.
• Southend Reindeer area: 35.6 C.
• Stony Rapids area: 38.5 C.
• Swift Current area: 35.2 C.
• Waskesiu Lake area: 32.6 C.
• Watrous area: 33.4 C.
• Wynard area: 32.5 C.

WATCH | What is a heat dome? Climate change has something to do with it

What led to the heat dome taking over Western Canada and the U.S.

3 years ago

Duration 2:08

CBC meteorologist and science reporter Johanna Wagstaffe breaks down the combination of factors that led to the unprecedented heat in western North America — and how climate change plays a role in these extreme events.

Kindersley was at 37.8 C on Thursday, breaking its previous daily record of 36.7 from 1944.

Mayor Rod Perkins said Kindersley residents have a couple places to go for some relief if they want to get out of the house.

"This is pretty intense right now," he said with a chuckle. "The pool is real busy. I haven't driven by the spray park today but usually it's fairly busy too. I think they'll be busy for sure."

Perkins said he's lived in Kindersley since 1974 and could remember maybe one other time when it was so scorching for so many days in a row.

The heat is affecting crops in the area, Perkins said, adding he's hoping for some rain soon.

Things to look out for

Environment Canada continues to warn people about heat-related illness.

Heat exhaustion is serious, but heat stroke is a medical emergency, the agency warns. Signs of heat illness are swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, and the worsening of some health conditions.

Things like vomiting, disorientation, muscle cramps, and lack of sweat are very serious.

Risks of illness are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

This heat can also bring about blue-green algae blooms, which could be a problem if you're hoping to hit the water to cool off, the province warns.

"Algae blooms are heavy concentrations of blue-green and green algae which often give the water a shimmering, foamy and pea soup like appearance," a release from the provincial government said.

The blooms may be be blue-green, bright blue, grey or tan, the release said.

"Direct contact or unintended consumption of algae-contaminated water can cause red skin, sore throat, cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea."

The government says the organs of fish caught in a bloom area should not be eaten.