According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, there were 3,724 flashes of lightning in the Red Deer area on July 13, like this one which appeared during a storm that delayed the Central Alberta Buccaneers football game at Great Chief Park. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

storm season

Damp summer means more safety awareness needed

Jul 15, 2019 | 6:00 PM

Red Deer has had its fair share of stormy weather so far this summer. For many, it’s become frustrating.

Therefore, it may surprise locals to learn that rainfall totals for June and the first half of July are actually below normal.

Robyn Dyck, meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada runs down some of the numbers.

“In June, Red Deer had 74.5 millimetres (of precipitation). Records for Red Deer go back to 1905, and the average is about 87.9 mm. We work with 30-year normals, so the 1981-2010 normal is about 94 mm.

“In July, we’ve had 20.4 mm already, and last year in July, we had 50.8 mm. In terms of the average, it’s 81.8 mm, or for the 30-year normal, it’s 94.4 mm.”

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Along with the rain comes lightning, to which Dyck reminds, “When it roars, go indoors.”

There were more than 3,700 strikes this past Saturday (July 13) in the Red Deer area, the highest total this summer and second highest of any day since last spring.

It was on July 18, 2018 that the region saw more than 6,400 flashes of lightning. The only other day that comes somewhat close this year was July 5 when there were 3,342 lightning flashes.

In case you were trying to forget, Red Deer saw snow in June, which according to records is only the fourth time that has happened in the last 110 years (twice in 1910 and once in 1965).

Despite precipitation totals coming up short against yearly averages, river levels are still potentially dangerous at this time, according to Karen Mann, Emergency Management Coordinator for The City of Red Deer.

“This time of year, we are still within what is considered peak run-off from the mountain snowpack, and when it gets coupled with heavy rainfall, you will see increased flow rates, which we have seen in the last couple of weeks,” Mann explains.

“Always be mindful of conditions, know your equipment, your limitations, have a plan and inform somebody of your plan if you’re going out on the river. Make sure you’re aware of what the flow rates are and how rates would impact the functioning of your equipment, always wear life-jackets and don’t consume alcohol.”

Mann notes that current river conditions, which can change quickly, are available on the Alberta Rivers mobile app.

If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation while on the river, Mann says do what you can to get to shore and call 911.

On July 3, Rocky Mountain House RCMP confirmed that a 34-year-old Calgary man drowned in the Clearwater River.

A 22-year-old Calgary man died this month after cliff jumping into the Highwood River in southern Alberta, and a 25-year-old man drowned in Herbert Lake on June 30 after falling off his paddleboard.