Recent heavy rainfall in north and central Alberta has brought much-needed relief to the ongoing battle against wildfires in the province, but experts have cautioned that the situation remains complex as the downpour presents its own set of challenges.
Heavy rainfall warnings were issued on Sunday for a large portion of the region, including Edmonton and Edson, where a wildfire has been blazing nearby. The wildfire had already grown to over 300,000 hectares, approximately four and a half times the area of Edmonton, as reported by Alberta Wildfire.
According to Environment Canada, long periods of heavy rain are expected to persist across north and central Alberta. Widespread rainfall of 80 to 120 millimetres is anticipated, with certain areas potentially experiencing even greater amounts, exceeding 150 millimetres.
The heaviest downpours were projected to occur between Sunday and Monday, with the intensity gradually tapering off by Wednesday.
While the rainfall is generally seen as welcome news for residents, the Edson wildfire has significantly altered the region’s topography, introducing additional challenges to the moisture absorption process.
Jodi Hughes, weather anchor at Global Calgary, said the destruction of foliage and ground materials means there are fewer barriers to slow down the rate at which rainfall reaches the surface. Consequently, the ability of the ground to manage and absorb moisture from the rain has also been diminished.
The presence of wildfire ash can also create a water-repellent layer resulting in increased water runoff, according to Hughes.
Environment Canada has also confirmed a tornado outbreak that occurred in rural Alberta last week.
The tornadoes occurred between 2:30pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday, with nine tornadoes moving between Calgary and Medicine Hat, and another one near Vermillion in eastern Alberta.
All the tornadoes were initially rated as EF-0, which is the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds of 105-135 kilometres per hour.
Minor damage was reported, according to the Canadian Press, with four tornadoes touching down in the Iron Springs area. Two additional tornadoes were recorded near Enchant, and the remaining tornadoes were sighted in Lake Newell, Brooks, Cabin Lake, and Vermillion.
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