‘It was really hot’: Some businesses close as heat warnings grip the Maritimes

Lenny's Takeout location in Moncton, N.B., on July 3, 2026. (Derek Haggett/CTV News Atlantic)

The owner of two takeout restaurants decided things were just a little too hot to handle in the kitchen on Thursday.

Lenny’s Takeout owner Jamie Dionne closed his Shediac, N.B., location at 6:30 p.m. and the Moncton one at 7 p.m. due to the extreme heat.

“I just felt really bad for my staff. It was really hot yesterday, they were really sweating,” said Dionne.

He said the restaurants themselves weren’t hot, but it was unbearable in the kitchen.

“It goes a lot higher in the fryers and the grill. I’d say it’s 20 degrees hotter in there than it is in the air conditioning,” said Dionne.

His employees were happy to go home early and Dionne received positive feedback on social media for thinking of his workers.

“It was really hot. The guys had to drink a lot of water. I worked in the kitchen myself, so I know how it is. I don’t want my staff to be unhappy,” said Dionne.

New Brunswick is under a yellow heat warning, with temperatures in the 30s, but feeling around 40 C with the humidex, expected across most of the province Friday.

Cooler temperatures are expected along the Fundy coast.

Environment Canada says conditions should ease on Saturday, but southern New Brunswick could still see high temperatures and humidity until later in the day.

Heat warnings in effect in N.S. and P.E.I.

Heat warnings are also in effect for mainland Nova Scotia. Temperatures will reach the high 20s to low 30s, though it will feel close to 40 C with the humidex.

Cooler conditions are expected along parts of the Atlantic coast.

Environment Canada says the heat warnings will likely be in effect in Nova Scotia until Saturday night.

There are no heat warnings in effect in Cape Breton.

All of P.E.I. is also under a yellow heat warning Friday. Environment Canada says temperatures on the island could reach 29 C, but will feel more like 36 C.

Cooler conditions are expected along the coast.

“Temperatures will return to more seasonable values beginning on Saturday,” said Environment Canada.

More to come…

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.