Toronto issues extreme heat alert, breaks record
Posted June 20, 2012 10:13 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto broke a long-standing record for the hottest June 20 in over 60 years on Wednesday.
Temperatures soared to an unofficial high of 34.6 C at Pearson Airport. With the humidity it felt more like a staggering 42 C
It’s unofficial because Environment Canada doesn’t declare a record until the day is over.
The previous record high at Pearson airport for June 20 was 34.4 C, set in 1949.
The soaring temps prompted the City of Toronto to issue an extreme heat alert. Furthermore, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment issued a smog advisory for most of southern Ontario and cottage country, and a humidex advisory for the area issued by Environment Canada on Monday remains in effect.
And the heat was even affecting planes:
City cooling centres are open and Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David McKeown, is advising residents to check on their neighbours and seek cool spaces.
Toronto isn’t just dealing with the heat, we’re also coping with smog.
In a statement Wednesday morning the Ontario Ministry of the Environment said: “During the smog episode, individuals may experience eye irritation. Heavy outdoor exercise may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. People with heart or lung disease including asthma may experience a worsening of their condition.”
Summer officially begins just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, when the sun reaches its highest peak. The solstice is scheduled to occur at 7:09 p.m. and heralds shorter daylight hours for the rest of the season.
If the hot temperatures continue Thursday, Toronto could see its first spring heat wave in 18 years. The last spring heat wave in the city lasted from June 16 to 18, 1994, CityNews meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai said.
Meanwhile, a humidex advisory issued by Environment Canada on Monday continued Wednesday, thanks to hot, humid air coming in from the United States.
The advisory covers much of southern Ontario and southern Quebec, but relief is on the way: the heat and humidity are expected to subside by Friday.
The weekend should see a return to seasonal norms with a forecast high of 25 C on Saturday and 24 C on Sunday.
With the heat putting extra demand on the electricity grid, Toronto Hydro is asking customers to think twice before reaching over to crank up the air conditioner.
Click here to see the full forecast. And click here for the locations of Toronto’s 80 splash pads.
