Andrew Ing says he plans to spend Canada Day near some water — any water.
“Just going to go grab an iced coffee instead of my normal hot coffee,” Ing said in downtown Kitchener, Ont., on Tuesday as the heat and humidity started to be felt in the air.
“Probably just stay out of the sun, stay inside as much as I can.”
Normally, Ing and his friends would have a backyard fire to mark the holiday.
“Probably not a fire this week. Probably going to get out in the water,” he said.
Nearly 300 kilometres away, in Windsor, it’s a similar story for Parth Sharma. He said he might go out in the evening to celebrate Canada Day, but with temperatures set to soar, “not during the day.”
Wednesday could see near record-breaking heat in southern Ontario as Day 2 of a heat wave settles over the area.
The temperatures are so high, a community event in London has been cancelled so the community centre where it was being held can be used as a cooling centre.
‘Heat is the biggest concern’
Most of the southern part of the province is under an orange-level weather warning for heat from Environment and Climate Change Canada, with the hottest days expected to be Wednesday and Thursday.
It’s expected the heat will stick around until Friday.
Some areas aren’t under the orange-level warning — including Wiarton, Tobermory, and parts of Wellington and Grey County — but they are still under a yellow-level warning for heat.
Yellow heat warnings have also been issued for parts of northwestern Ontario.
Overnight lows will say above 20 C, providing little relief, the weather agency says.
“The heat is the biggest concern,” Peter Kimbell, a warning preparedness meteorologist for Environment Canada, told CBC News.
With unsettled and humid weather, there’s also a chance of thunderstorms, so Kimbell also reminded people that “when thunder roars, go indoors.”
He said there’s nothing to indicate it will be hot enough to break weather records on Wednesday, but it might come close in a few spots.
Some of the records in southern Ontario for July 1 are:
- Windsor: 36.7 C (at the Riverside station) set in 1898; the airport record is 34.4 set in 2012.
- London: 37.2 C set in 1931.
- Hamilton: 37.2 C set in 1931.
- Kitchener: 36.1 C set in 1894.
- Goderich: 32.3 C set in 1913.
Kimbell noted the most severe heat wave in Ontario was July 5 to 17 in 1936. It lasted two weeks, with temperatures of 32 C or higher, hitting as high as 42 C.
It could feel like 42 C as a heatwave blankets southern Ontario this week. CBC’s Pratyush Dayal speaks with people in Windsor about how they are trying to beat the heat and stay cool around Canada Day.
Drink water, find cool spaces
As the temperature soars, health units across the province are reminding people to take precautions.
Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health and CEO at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, said anyone can experience serious health concerns due to the heat.
“It’s important to check in regularly with family, friends and neighbours — especially the elderly, those with infants and young children, those with chronic health conditions and those who live alone — to make sure they are staying cool and well-hydrated,” Mercer said.
Huron Perth Public Health notes that extreme heat can affect everyone, but those most at risk include:
- Older adults.
- Infants and young children.
- People with chronic illnesses, such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions, or psychiatric illnesses.
- People who work in the heat.
- People who exercise in the heat.
- People with housing issues and low incomes (who may not have access to air conditioning).
The health unit added that “heat-related illnesses are preventable,” and urged people to watch for signs like headaches, thirst, feeling tired or dizzy, or rapid breathing and heartbeat.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit recommends:
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
- Taking a cool bath or shower.
- Limiting outdoor activities to the coolest parts of the day.
- Using sunscreen and wear sunglasses.
- Never leaving children, adults or pets in parked cars.
You can still find ways to enjoy the day
Richard Hooper, who organizes a Canada Day event in London, hopes families will still come out for the festivities.
“I’m hoping that because of the weather that’s going to be very hot, people will take the opportunity to bring their umbrellas, bring their lawn chairs, sit down and enjoy.”
Sipping an iced coffee in downtown Kitchener, Nishtha Tomer said she thinks it feels hotter right now than it did at this time last year.
She likes that the beach in Grand Bend is a relatively short drive away and swimming is her favourite way to cool off.
She doesn’t plan to go to any daytime Canada Day events, but may still take in the fireworks at night.
“Of course, staying hydrated and just being mindful that you’re outdoors, eating a bit more, and you should be OK,” she said.
“It is kind of sad that it’s so hot, but I think we’ll all get through it.”
