GTA Hit By New Heatwave

Things are definitely heating up in Toronto this weekend. You’ve got the Grand Prix, the Corso Italia Festival, Live Earth celebrations, and a Taste of Lawrence. But even if you’re not going to any of them, there’s one other big thing happening over the next few days you won’t be able to ignore – the return of summer’s sizzle.

After a few weeks of cooler weather that actually saw the mercury dip to near single digits at night, July has roared in like a fireball. And it will certainly feel that way. Toronto reached around 29C on Friday – and that was without the humidity. By Saturday, that sticky feeling will kick in as the mercury edges into the 31C range. The normal high for this time of year is around 26C, with lows of about 14C.

Sunday will be the hottest of all, with readings that could touch 34C, a humidex in the 40s and a risk of a thunderstorm. That will be close to a record – the all time high for July 8th came in 1988, when Toronto sweltered through a 37.6C day.

And it doesn’t end there. Monday and Tuesday’s readings slip to just 29C, as the heat comes for an extended stay, pollution levels rise and power demands go with them. If fact, the swelter may mean you’ll be asked to sacrifice your air conditioning. Two units at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station that were scheduled to go online this summer have been delayed until the fall. That may spark a rerun of last month’s plea for hydro conservation from the Independent Electricity Marketing Operator, which monitors the amount of power available in the province. The organization warns the loss of the two units means Ontario could be 1,000 megawatts short – enough to create a potential crisis if everyone cranks up the A.C. during the heat wave.

( Check the forecast and the current conditions here.)

Ironically, the best place to be may also be the worst this weekend – the Grand Prix track along the Lakeshore. The sun beating down on the pavement, the crowds and the heat generated by the cars almost always sends temperatures soaring at the event and if you’re planning to take in the races, get ready. It could feel past 40, a potentially dangerous level for spectators.

But it’s not just the heat that’s making some people hot under the collar. CityNews viewer Colin Peddie was out for a bike ride in the blazing temperatures at Morningside Park and found the water fountain not working. “It should be fixed,” he demands. “What can we do? Really, what can we do?” The city has yet to return calls on the problem.

Meanwhile, expect another hot spot to be busy this weekend – Toronto’s outdoor public swimming pools and splash pads as families look for any way to cool off. 

And we’re not the only ones struggling with the heat. Record breaking warmth has gripped the western U.S. It was 46.1C in Phoenix on Thursday, while Las Vegas hit 46.6C. But the hot spot was the desert town of  Baker, California, ironically home to the world’s largest thermometer, where the mercury reached an unbelievable 51.6C. Boise, Idaho hit 41C on Friday, while parts of Oregon basked in readings just past 42C.

Still not, everyone’s complaining about Toronto’s latest heating harangue. “I don’t miss the snow,” laughs one sun worshipper. “I still like the summer better.”

Warmth Warnings

Canadians who hate winter don’t necessarily welcome the kind of heat we’re expecting over the next few days. This kind of weather has health experts putting out the usual caveats to the elderly, the very young and those with breathing difficulties. But even the healthiest among us may have trouble doing anything strenuous in these conditions and you’re being advised to stay hydrated and in a cool place.

Toronto Public Health has yet to call an official heat alert but one will likely be in place by the weekend. So far, we’ve had six of them this year – and two extreme heat alerts. Find out more here.

Where the cooling centres are

Among the first signs of heat prostration:

• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Weakness, dizziness or fainting
• More tiredness than usual
• Headache
• Confusion
• Nausea

If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, get to a cool place as quickly as possible and if necessary seek medical attention.

Tips to help you keep cool

Fan Fallacies

While your body will be working overtime to cool itself, so will your fans. But did you know they can sometimes do more harm than good? The city warns it’s dangerous to use a fan in a closed room without windows or doors that are open to the outside. Fans don’t actually cool the air, just move it around. And using one to blow hot air on yourself can simply make heat exhaustion happen faster.

Source: Toronto Public Health

Keep it Factual

Add CityNews Toronto as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.