Temperatures to peak Monday as heat warning issued across GTA

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for a huge portion of Ontario amid dangerously hot temperatures that are expected to bring high humidity on Sunday.

The national weather agency says the heat event is expected to last through at least Tuesday. 

Temperatures are expected to reach daytime highs of 31 to 36 C, with humidex values in the low to mid-40s.

“The heat will peak on Monday, but the humidity will be at its highest on Sunday across the Greater Toronto Area,” says CityNews Meteorologist Carl Lam. “The heat on Sunday will be some of the hottest air we’ve dealt with in quite some time.”

By Sunday night, overnight temperatures will drop into the low to mid-20s and the humidex will be in the low 30s.

“Monday’s heat will actually be more intense. Temperatures will be into the mid 30s, and humidex values will be back into the low 40s with plenty of sunshine. Tuesday will still be very warm, and there’s a chance for a few isolated rain showers moving through by Tuesday in the late afternoon,” Lam says.

Environment Canada is reminding the public to take proactive steps to stay safe during the extreme heat.

“Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day,” officials warn.

“Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water,” they added.

“Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind.”

Environment Canada’s seasonal forecast says the summer is expected to be hotter and more humid than normal across Ontario.

CITY OF TORONTO WILL OPEN 500 COOL SPACES

The City of Toronto has activated its Heat Relief Network, which provides public access to more than 500 cool spaces across the city, including libraries, community centres and pools.

The City’s 58 outdoor pools will be operating with extended weekend hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., while the eight pools listed below will be open until 11:45 p.m. for as long as the heat warning is in effect:

• Alex Duff Pool, 779 Crawford St. 
• Giovanni Caboto Pool, 1367 St. Clair Ave. W. 
• Sunnyside Park/Gus Ryder Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W. 
• McGregor Park, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. 
• Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Ave.
• North Toronto Outdoor Pool, 200 Eglington Ave W. 
• Smithfield Park, 175 Mount Olive Dr. 
• Halbert Pool, 24 Rockwood Dr. (open until 9 p.m. only) 

The City says splash pads will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 15 wading pools will be open this weekend from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.