okotoks.news

Tag: Weather

  • Heat warning remains in effect for Okotoks-area Foothills County

    With temperatures climbing, it is a good week to keep cool heads in the Foothills.

    A heat warning remains in effect for Foothills County near Okotoks and De Winton, with daytime highs expected to reach 30 C to 34 C this week.

    Environment Canada says the hot conditions are expected to continue throughout the week across parts of Foothills County, Vulcan County, the M.D. of Willow Creek and Siksika Nation.

    People in affected areas are advised to reduce heat risks by moving outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day when possible, taking regular breaks in cooled indoor spaces, and drinking plenty of water or other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks.

    Officials also remind drivers to check vehicles before leaving and never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle, even briefly.

    Environment Canada says residents should watch for signs of heat-related illness, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms can include high body temperature, confusion, fainting, unconsciousness and a lack of sweating.

    People who may be more vulnerable in hot weather include infants, children, seniors, outdoor workers, people who are socially isolated, and those with pre-existing lung, heart, kidney, nervous system, mental health or diabetic conditions.

    The warning also applies to several nearby and regional areas, including Foothills County near High River and Aldersyde, Diamond Valley, Longview and Eden Valley, Cayley, Blackie, Priddis and Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, as well as communities in Vulcan County and the M.D. of Willow Creek.

    heat warnings are issued when very high temperatures are expected to increase the risk of heat-related illness.

  • Okotoks cooling stations open through Aug. 4 during heat warning

    Okotoks is giving residents a cool way to weather the heat.

    The Town of Okotoks has opened several cooling stations to help residents during the ongoing heat wave.

    The stations are available until Aug. 4 at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Okotoks Municipal Centre, Viking Rentals Centre, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks Art Gallery, and Okotoks Museum & Archives.

    The facilities are open during regular business hours and will have bottled water available. The town says they can also provide indoor relief when outdoor air quality is poor.

    The town said the stations were opened in response to an Environment and Climate Change Canada heat warning. It is continuing to monitor conditions and may adjust availability if needed.

    Okotoks Spray Park hours have also been extended to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the heat wave, though hours may change. Residents are encouraged to check the town’s recreation updates before going.

    The town is advising residents to limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing and sun protection, and check on people who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat.

    Residents should never leave people or pets in parked vehicles. Anyone who sees an animal left in a vehicle is asked to call 9-1-1.

    People who feel overheated should stop what they are doing, move to shade or a cool indoor space, and drink fluids. Medical help should be sought immediately if someone faints or loses consciousness.

    The town is also reminding residents to use caution around rivers, wear a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device, and avoid storm ponds, where swimming and recreation are not allowed. More river safety information is available online.

    Outdoor watering rules remain in effect, and residents can find their assigned watering days at okotoks.ca/water.

  • Air quality warning includes Foothills County near Okotoks as wildfire smoke arrives

    This smoky forecast is a clear reminder to keep the air care front and centre.

    An air quality warning has been issued for parts of the Foothills, including Foothills County near Okotoks and De Winton, as wildfire smoke from British Columbia moves into the region.

    Environment Canada says smoke conditions can change quickly, with air quality and visibility varying over short distances and from hour to hour.

    Residents are being advised to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events as smoke levels rise.

    Officials say mild symptoms can include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches or a mild cough. More serious symptoms can include wheezing, chest pain or a severe cough. Anyone who believes they are having a medical emergency should seek immediate medical help.

    People at higher risk from wildfire smoke include seniors, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with existing illnesses or chronic health conditions, and those who work outdoors.

    Environment Canada recommends keeping windows and doors closed where possible. If extreme heat occurs at the same time as poor air quality, staying cool should take priority.

    Residents are also encouraged to improve indoor air quality by using the best air filter their ventilation system can handle or a certified portable air cleaner that filters fine particles, and to check on neighbours, relatives and others who may be more vulnerable.

    The warning covers several areas, including Kananaskis Improvement District near Highwood House, multiple parts of Foothills County, the M.D. of Willow Creek, the M.D. of Ranchland and the M.D. of Pincher Creek.

  • Funnel cloud weather statement ends for Okotoks area

    With the advisory lifted, southern Alberta can let that forecast spin down.

    Environment Canada ended its special weather statement Sunday evening after conditions that could produce funnel clouds and isolated landspout tornadoes moved out of southern Alberta.

    The advisory had covered much of the region, including Okotoks, High River, Diamond Valley, Longview, Nanton, Claresholm, Blackie and Vulcan County.

    Forecasters said funnel clouds were possible under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms, where weak rotation can sometimes develop. While that rotation is usually not hazardous near the ground, Environment Canada said it can occasionally strengthen into a weak landspout tornado.

    Landspout tornadoes are generally associated with limited damage, but can still create risks by knocking down trees, damaging roofs or moving debris over short distances.

    With the remaining statements ended, the funnel cloud advisory is no longer in effect for the region.

  • Sheep River flow easing as Okotoks keeps stream advisory active

    The river may be running high, but Okotoks is trying to keep residents current.

    The Town of Okotoks says the Sheep River is continuing to drop, though a high streamflow advisory remains in effect for the Sheep River basin.

    As of 9 a.m. on June 4, the river had fallen another 0.35 metres and was flowing at 76.89 cubic metres per second. The town said levels were continuing to taper.

    Okotoks remains in Stage 1, or High Stream Advisory, under its Emergency Management Plan. The town’s emergency management team is continuing to monitor river conditions.

    The Sheep River peaked on June 2 at 188.65 cubic metres per second before beginning to decline. Earlier in the week, heavy rain and a special weather statement from Environment Canada had prompted the town to activate Stage 1.

    Residents are being asked to stay away from the river and nearby areas while water remains high and fast-moving. The town says riverbanks may be unstable, and debris can be carried downstream.

    Residents were also reminded to reduce flood risk around their properties by clearing eavestroughs and downspouts, directing water away from foundations, checking sump pumps and backflow valves, and watching for pooling water in low-lying areas.

    Free sandbags are available at the Okotoks Operations Centre parking lot at 1118 N Railway St. The town also directs residents to its flood planning page.

  • Highwood and Sheep rivers still under advisory as flows ease

    For now, Okotoks residents should let caution flow downstream.

    The Highwood River and Sheep River remained under a high streamflow advisory Friday morning, with water levels still above normal but continuing to decline as rainfall eased in the region.

    According to Alberta River Basins preliminary reports, the Highwood River below the Little Bow Canal was flowing at 100 cubic metres per second at 10:05 a.m. Friday, down from 109 cubic metres per second at 6 p.m. Thursday. Its level was 2.355 metres at 10 a.m.

    The Sheep River at Okotoks was reported at 60.88 cubic metres per second at 10:30 a.m. Friday, compared with 66.19 cubic metres per second Thursday evening.

    Okotoks remained in Stage 1, High Stream Advisory, under its Emergency Management Plan. The town’s emergency management team was continuing to monitor river levels.

    Residents were advised to avoid the rivers and nearby areas while water remains high and fast-moving. Unstable riverbanks and downstream debris can pose hazards.

    Some high streamflow advisories elsewhere in Alberta were being lifted gradually. Alberta River Basins forecasters expected a fast-moving weather system to bring 10 to 30 millimetres of precipitation this weekend to an area between Sundre and Edmonton, with scattered showers possible across much of the province.

  • Sheep and Highwood rivers remain under high streamflow advisory Tuesday

    With rivers running high, it is a good day to keep travel plans from going downstream.

    The Sheep River and Highwood River remained under a high streamflow advisory Tuesday morning as heavy rain continued in the region.

    Preliminary data from Rivers Alberta showed elevated flows at local monitoring stations:

    • At 6:30 a.m., the Sheep River at Okotoks was flowing at 120.69 cubic metres per second, with a water level of 27.5 metres.
    • At 6:05 a.m., the Highwood River at High River was flowing at 158 cubic metres per second, with a water level of 2.77 metres.

    Alberta River Basins says its online data is provisional and preliminary. The information is automatically generated by remote equipment, may not have been reviewed for accuracy, and can change after review or correction.

    Environment Canada reported that 40 to 120 millimetres of rain had fallen across the region since Saturday evening, with some parts of southwestern Alberta receiving up to 135 millimetres. Another five to 10 millimetres of rain was expected Tuesday.

    Water could pool on roads and in low-lying areas, and utility outages were possible. Drivers were advised to avoid flooded roads and watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.

  • High streamflow advisory continues for Sheep and Highwood rivers

    River updates like this help residents go with the flow.

    A High Streamflow Advisory remains in place for the Sheep River and Highwood River as officials continue monitoring water levels after significant rainfall.

    At 4:05 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, the Highwood River below the Little Bow Canal was flowing at 170 cubic metres per second, with a depth of 2.949 metres. For context, the highest historic flow rate recorded in 2013 was 1,820 cubic metres per second.

    In its 4 p.m. monitoring update, the Town of High River said residents may see faster water, elevated river levels, more debris and localized pooling in low-lying areas. The town said pooling is expected after heavy rain and should ease as stormwater systems handle the excess water.

    The Beachwood area remains closed because trails are covered by water and ground conditions are soft. The next High River update is expected Wednesday, June 3, at 10 a.m.

    In Okotoks, the Sheep River was flowing at 168.03 cubic metres per second as of 3:30 p.m. The Town of Okotoks said the river had risen 1.17 metres since Sunday, May 31, with the latest projections indicating levels should begin to taper.

    Okotoks remains in Stage 1 of its Emergency Management Plan and is continuing to monitor the Sheep River, with the option to move to Stage 2 if needed. The town is asking people to avoid the river and nearby areas while water is high and moving quickly, noting that conditions can shift quickly, banks may be unstable and debris may be carried downstream.

    Andrew Livingstone, communications director with Environment and Protected Areas, said the Sheep River at Okotoks was expected to peak Tuesday evening about 0.4 metres below the level that would affect Riverbend Campground. He said river flooding was not expected.

    Livingstone said Sheep River levels are slightly higher than in some recent years, but similar levels were seen in 2020, 2022 and 2025. He described the expected peaks as within the normal range for peak summer flows at Okotoks.

  • Wind warning covers Okotoks area as gusts near 90 km/h expected

    With heavy rain and strong gusts in the forecast, it is a good time to leaf trees plenty of room.

    A Yellow Level Wind Warning is in effect for Foothills County and parts of southern Alberta, including areas near Okotoks and De Winton.

    Environment Canada issued the warning on Monday, June 1, at 10:53 a.m. Winds gusting near 90 km/h are expected to continue through the evening.

    The warning includes areas near:

    • Blackie
    • Cayley
    • Diamond Valley
    • High River and Aldersyde
    • Longview and Eden Valley Reserve
    • Okotoks and De Winton
    • Claresholm and Stavely in the M.D. of Willow Creek
    • Several Vulcan County communities, including Vulcan, Milo, Champion and Carmangay

    A Rainfall Warning is also in effect for the Foothills. An additional 30 to 70 mm of rain is expected through Tuesday, June 2.

    Environment Canada says rain-soaked ground increases the risk of trees falling during strong winds.

  • Sheep and Highwood rivers remain under advisory as rainfall continues

    Local officials are keeping a current watch on river conditions.

    The Sheep River and Highwood River remained under a high streamflow advisory Monday afternoon as communities monitored conditions during significant rainfall.

    Preliminary data from Alberta River Basins reported:

    • The Sheep River at Okotoks was flowing at 38.04 cubic metres per second at 2:30 p.m., with a water level of 26.77 metres.
    • The Highwood River at High River was flowing at 85.9 cubic metres per second at 1:05 p.m., with a water level of 2.14 metres.

    River basin readings are automatically collected by remote equipment and have not been reviewed for accuracy. The figures may change after corrections.

    Diamond Valley reported at 2 p.m. that repairs to the Black Diamond river monitoring station were expected by the end of the day. Diamond Valley Emergency Management said crews were using field observations and other data sources while the station remained offline.

    The agency had not identified river flooding concerns. It said continued rain could still cause water pooling, overloaded drainage systems and minor overland flooding in low-lying areas.

    A yellow-level wind warning was also expected to remain in effect Monday evening, with gusts of up to 90 km/h. Saturated ground could increase the risk of falling trees, utility outages and property damage.

    Conditions were forecast to ease within 24 hours. Diamond Valley Emergency Management said further updates would be issued if needed.