It's been 581 days since the city declared a climate emergency in November 2021. He says we could see very long dry spells, which could exacerbate drought conditions. "That means a greater reliance upon rainfall, and rainfall is less reliable than snowmelt," he said. Historically low water level on Bow River concerning, water scientist says.Pomeroy says snowpacks at lower elevations continue to decline, which affects the amount of water flowing into the river. He says this spring is a possible prelude of what's to come: below normal snowpack along with very warm temperatures in May and June, which have led to low river flows for this time of year. Water is drawn down in the spring to make room to hold back potential flood waters.Ī below normal snowpack, early spring melt and warm temperatures in May and June have led to below normal flow rates in the Bow River this spring. He says TransAlta's reservoir at Ghost Lake no longer operates solely as a hydroelectric facility but also as a flood mitigation tool. He says glaciers are continuing to recede, and water management on the river has changed. John Pomeroy says extreme low river flows have been recorded in late summer and early fall, but also some very large snowpacks have led to high river flows. While the Bow River hasn't reached the same destructive flows seen in 2013, the city's biggest source of drinking water has been impacted by climate change, according to the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change at the University of Saskatchewan. Others recalled their experience during the June 2013 flood: being forced from their homes, losing income, paying for costly repairs and higher insurance premiums. "The excessive heat and wildfire smoke impacts my physical and mental health." "The wildfire smoke and heat impacts all of us, especially my son, who doesn't get to enjoy outdoor activities in a real summer. "Anxiety inducing - especially knowing this will become something more frequent." "Calling a couple weeks of hot weather 'extreme' is complete nonsense." "It got hot, it got cold, the Earth kept spinning," read another. "I've not seen a big difference in the 40-plus years of being an adult in this city," read one of the anonymous replies. The responses ranged from fear and anxiety to skepticism about climate change. The seasons are shifting, with a later fall frost and an earlier start to spring (this May was the second hottest on record for Calgary.) 'It's like living on Mars'Ī year ago, the city asked people how severe weather has impacted their lives. The city also says there has been an increase in intense rainfalls and bigger snowfalls during individual snow events. Calgary and area cleaning up after days of rain and wind.We are seeing heavier snow storms through the winter and we're seeing more rain at more times of the year than what we would have traditionally seen going back in the climate record," said Jillian Curley, acting leader with the city's climate adaptation team. We've had 'Snowtember' events, more of these damaging storms. Over that same period, there were 28 special air quality statements covering more than 70 days due wildfire smoke. The number of thunderstorm hours observed at the airport has also increased. The warnings are issued when the daytime temperature reaches at least 29 C or the nighttime temperature stays at 14 C or higher for two consecutive days.
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