Calgary weather breaks 90-year-old record thanks to El Nino and chinook, says expert

Calgary broke a 90-year-old temperature record for the day,but we'll need a perfect chinook if we want to break our all-time February record, according toone meteorologist.

Temperatures in the cityhit 15 C, edgingabove the1926record high of 14.4 for Feb. 9, according to Environment Canada'sKirkTorneby.

This week's thermometer readings are getting a boost from anumber of differentfactors, including El Nino, a chinook wind, and a nearby large ridge of high pressure that is allowing warm, moist Pacific air to blow into B.C. and continue through Alberta, said Weather Network meteorologist Dayna Vettese.

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"Ourall-time February record was actually almost23 degrees back in 1992," she said in an interview with CBC'sCalgaryEyeopener.

While forecasts don't expect temperatures to climb into the 20s, it wouldn't be unheard of, especially because of how those temperatures get so warm,Vettesesaid.

Exact direction of wind can mean all the difference

SouthernAlbertanswill befamiliar with chinook winds,which bring with them a welcome respitefrom the frigid winter airs.

The chinooksrise over the western slopes of the CanadianRockiesand then heat up as they descend along the eastern side, blowing warmer gusts intothe prairies.

• INTERACTIVE | Calgary's weather phenomenon - How do chinooks happen?

What maybe isn't as common knowledge is that theslightest difference in how those winds blow can translate to big differences in temperature readings,Vettese said.

"The exact wind direction and the magnitude of those winds, how strong they are, can mean the difference between 7 degrees and 18 degrees," shesaid.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we do overachieve on temperatures, just because one nice, strong gust of wind, or one perfect wind direction and we can really boost those temperatures,"Vettesesaid.

"We've had situations wherewe'vejumped 10 degrees in an hour or two."

Theweather pattern is not completely abnormal,Vettesesaidin each of the lastfew Februaries, Calgarytemperatures have climbed into the teens.

Vettese said above seasonal temperatureswill continue through this week, and that backcountry enthusiasts should pay strong attention to avalanche reports, as these warm temperatures can destabilize the snow pack.

Show us what you're doingto take advantage of the gorgeous weather.Tweet us your photos @CBCCalgaryor e-mail us atcalgaryphotos@cbc.ca.