Heat warnings across Canada could ‘shatter’ historical records: Environment Canada

A heat warning has been issued for Toronto, as humidex values approach 45. Rahim Ladhani reports.

Heat warnings were in place Monday across four provinces as Environment Canada said some areas could see temperatures that “shatter” historical records.

As of midday on Monday, virtually all of Ontario was under either a yellow or orange heat warning, according to Environment Canada. Yellow alerts warn of weather that “may cause” adverse health impacts or disruptions, while those events are “likely” to occur under an orange alert.

Orange alerts were in place in the province from the Manitoba border in the west to Kirkland Lake in the east, stretching southward towards Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury and North Bay and including Thunder Bay.

Environment Canada said, in its warning for the Thunder Bay area, that Monday “will mark the peak of this heat event.”

“Maximum temperatures are expected to approach 40 C in some areas, which may shatter historical daily maximum temperature records. Tuesday will still be hot but may be several degrees cooler than today,” the federal agency said.

Orange heat warnings were also in place for southern Manitoba, including Winnipeg, where “temperatures in the mid 30s are expected Monday with humidex values in the mid 40s,” Environment Canada said.

“Overnight lows will remain high as well, not dropping below 16 C.” Orange warnings stretched into southeastern Saskatchewan as well.

Meanwhile, yellow heat warnings were in place across all of central Manitoba, as well as most of the rest of Ontario, including all of the southern parts of the province and the Greater Toronto Area, where intense heat is expected to stay until late Wednesday or Thursday.

“Tuesday will mark the peak of this heat event,” Environment Canada said in its warnings for Toronto on Monday.

“Maximum temperatures on Tuesday near 37 C are expected for some areas over southwestern Ontario, around the Greater Golden Horseshoe and eastern Ontario.”

Yellow warnings also stretched into Quebec Monday, covering areas such as Rouyn-Noranda and Val d’Or in the north and Gatineau in the south.

“Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness,” Environment Canada said.

“Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue.”