Heat Warning issued for Toronto as temperatures will feel like nearly 40°C

Environment Canada has issued a Heat Warning for Toronto ahead of multiple days of feels-like temperatures hovering around 40°C.

According to the weather agency, the hot weather is expected to persist from this afternoon through to Sunday, and is likely to go on into next week as well.

The temperatures expected throughout the next several days are as follows:

• Maximum temperatures Thursday: 32°C to 35°C (Humidex 35 to 38)
• Maximum temperatures Friday: 32°C to 34°C (Humidex 36 to 40)
• Maximum temperatures Saturday: 32°C to 35°C (Humidex 36 to 40)
• Maximum temperatures Sunday: 31°C to 35°C (Humidex 37 to 42)
• Minimum overnight temperatures will run between 20°C and 23°C.

Environment Canada says that hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality, and can result in the Air Quality Health Index to approach the high-risk category.

• See also:
  • It’s going to feel like 40°C in Toronto next week
  • Toronto implements temporary bylaw mandating face masks

Extreme heat affects everyone, and the risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Symptoms of heat illness include dizziness/fainting; nausea/vomiting; rapid breathing and heartbeat; extreme thirst; and decreased urination with unusually dark urine.

To preserve their safety, people or pets should never be left inside a parked vehicle.

Also, as a safety measure, starting at 11 am today, the City of Toronto will open 15 Emergency Cooling Centres (ECCs) for the duration of the Heat Warning — these spaces are available to residents who do not have access to a cool space and cannot keep cool in their home or outdoors.

This interactive map shows ECCs across the city.

All the centres will operate from 11 am to 7 pm, except Metro Hall, 55 John Street, which will run 24 hours during the warning.

Environment Canada

While there’s no end in sight for the extra hot weather, it looks like the city may find some semblance of relief over the weekend as there’s a chance of rain in Sunday’s forecast.

Maybe that will be refreshing.