2018 is on pace to become Calgary's smokiest year ever

Aug 20 2018, 10:45 pm

No, you’re not imagining things — this year really is worse than most when it comes to the smoky skies surrounding Calgary.

The only year that has 2018 “beat” for most hours of smoke is — surprise — 2017, when the city saw 321 smoky hours between January 1 and December 31.

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According to the YYC Weather Records Twitter account, Calgary just saw its 311th hour, meaning that if the smoke continues uninterrupted we’ll have broken 2017’s record by 7 pm today.

While it’s no cause for celebration, we can hope that the immense amount of smoke this year means that 2019 will be a bit clearer than this summer has been so far.

The smoke is expected to dissipate eventually, as Environment Canada lifted their six-day-long special air quality statement over the weekend and forecasts clear (and sunny) skies on Wednesday.

But, until that time, Calgarians can expect a few showers this morning, a mix of sun and haze today and tomorrow, and some rain by the end of the week.

smokiest year

Calgary weather this week (Environment Canada)

DH Calgary StaffDH Calgary Staff

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