Feelin’ hot, hot, hot! Scorching start to summer in Waterloo Region

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Heat (and chance of rain) in our weekend forecast

Warnings of ‘danger’ as Ontario is set to face extreme heat: Phillips

Summer is coming in hot.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says a heat wave will hit southern Ontario on Sunday and continue until Tuesday.

According to severe weather meteorologist Rob Kuhn, the region could reach record-high temperatures on both Sunday and Monday. The mercury is expected to climb to 33 Celsius and 34 Celsius, respectively, and feel like 40 with the humidity.

It is still to early, however, to know if the heat is a trend that will continue summer.

“We have had years when the only heat wave of the summer has been in June,” noted Kuhn. “We have all of July, August and September left. This could be the only one, but it’s far too early to tell.”

Earlier this month, ECCC forecasted a warmer than average summer for nearly all of Canada.

Preparing for high heat

Anyone spending time outdoors this weekend should plan ahead for the hot weather.

“Make sure you’ve got plenty of liquids ready to drink, to keep hydrated,” Kuhn advised. “Try and keep your house cool, especially if you are sensitive to the heat and humidity.”

Robert Johnston was one of the people doing just that. On Friday, he got an air conditioning unit fixed for his grandkids.

“Anytime the temperature gets up there, that can start affecting your sleeping habits at night,” he said. “We have two dogs here. They get affected by the heat as well.”

Able Air Conditioning & Heating in Kitchener received dozens of calls on Friday for A/C repairs and installations.

“People turn their air conditioners on, and the hot temperatures put a strain on the equipment,” said service technician Martin Kulcsar. “Things tend to fail and sometimes you need a professional to come in and take a look.”

How to stay cool in hot weather

For those looking to escape the heat, the Region of Waterloo has set up cooling centres in community centres, libraries, recreation centres and government buildings. An interactive map, with addresses and operating hours, can be found on the region’s website.

Another way to keep cool are public pools or splashpads.

Kitchener pools and splashpads:

• Breithaupt Centre Pool (Times here)
• Cameron Heights Pool (Times here)
• Forest Heights Pool (Times here)
• Lyle Hallman Pool (Times here)
• Harry Class outdoor pool (Times here)
• Idlewood outdoor pool (Times here)
• Kiwanis park and pool (Times here)
• Wilson outdoor pool (Times here)
• Breithaupt Park, 806 Union Street (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Carl Zehr Square, 200 King Street West (Splashpad open 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Chandler Mowat, 222 Chandler Drive (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Doon Pioneer Park, 150 Pioneer Drive (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Kingsdale, 78 Wilson Avenue (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• McLennan Park, 901 Ottawa Street South (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• RBJ Schlegel Park, 1664 Huron Road (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Vanier Park water play feature, 335 Vanier Drive (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
• Victoria Park, Courtland Avenue West (Splashpad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

Waterloo pools and splashpads:

• Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
• Moses Springer Community Centre
• Albert McCormick Community Centre (Splashpad open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
• Waterloo Park (Splashpad open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Cambridge pools and splashpads:

• Ed Newland Pool
• George Hancock Pool
• John Dolson Pool
• W.G. Johnson Pool
• Central Park Splash Pad
• Churchill Park Splash Pad
• Duncan Ferguson Splash Pad
• Forbes Splash Pad
• Hespeler Optimist Splash Pad
• Lincoln Splash Pad
• Northview Heights Splash Pad
• Riverside Park Splash Pad
• Soper Park Splash Park