Hot, hazy, humid: Toronto, can you handle it?
Posted August 17, 2015 6:00 am.
Last Updated August 17, 2015 7:10 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There is no break from the steamy weather that hit Toronto this weekend. Another hot, hazy and humid day is in store, with the humidex set to hit close to 40.
Environment Canada’s heat warning for much of southern Ontario and the City of Toronto’s heat alert remains in effect.
Heat warnings are issued when high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
The weather agency said temperatures are expected to reach the low 30s with “maximum humidex values in the 37 to 40 range.”
According to 680 NEWS meteorologist Jill Taylor, the forecast calls for a high of 31 C but it will feel like 39 C with the humidity. There won’t be much of a reprieve from the heat overnight with the low expected near 21 C.
“[It] could be a record-breaking day today. The record high for an Aug. 17 is 31.6 C set in 1998,” Taylor said.
Environment Canada said the balmy temperatures are expected to stick around for the majority of the week, “although sporadic showers and thunderstorms may restrain high temperatures somewhat.”
Taylor said the humidex values will be around 37-39 for Tuesday and Wednesday, and near 33 and 30 for Thursday and Friday, respectively.
The national weather agency issues a heat warning in Ontario when the temperature is expected to reach 30 C or more with a humidex of 40 or more.
During a heat alert, the public is encouraged to call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, to make sure they are cool and drinking plenty of fluids.
In Toronto, when the forecast calls for a high greater than 31 C and the humidex more than 40 – over a two-day span – with a low that is greater than 20 C, the city will issue a heat alert. If the same conditions are in store for three days in a row, an extreme heat alert will be issued.
So far this year, the city has issued five heat alerts and two extreme heat alerts.
The last time Toronto and GTA has a humid stretch of this calibre was July 27-31.
Health officials say the intense heat can be a danger to anyone, but especially young children, the elderly, and people with breathing difficulties or heart conditions are at particular risk.
Environment Canada recommends drinking plenty of liquids, before you get thirsty, to avoid dehydration. Click here for more tips on how to beat the heat.
With files from The Canadian Press
