Heat warning issued for eastern Ontario ahead of another stretch of hot weather

A heat warning has been issued for Ottawa as the dry conditions continue. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

A heat warning is in effect for eastern Ontario with another mutli-day stretch of hot, humid weather approaching.

Environment Canada is forecasting highs between 30 and 35 C with humidex values up to 40 on some days starting Saturday. Overnight lows are between 19 and 23 C, bringing little relief after dark.

“Slightly cooler temperatures are expected by the middle of next week, bringing an end to this heat event,” Environment Canada says.

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This comes amid a lengthy dry spell in the region. Rainfall totals have been well below normal, with little to no precipitation so far this month in many parts of the region. Downtown Ottawa saw a brief downpour Thursday afternoon, but other parts of the city remained dry.

“Ottawa is kind of on the periphery of this dry area, kind of missing out on about 25 to 40 per cent of the rainfall we would typically expect for June and July,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke. “It does generally look like we’re going to remain on the dry side for the foreseeable future, probably through much of August. So, it looks like we’re probably going to finish up the summer drier than normal for much of eastern Ontario, including Ottawa.”

Other parts of the region are seeing even drier conditions.

“It looks like the problem is even worse if you go to a place like Belleville or Peterborough, where a lot of these areas are actually at less than half their summer rainfall so far,” Luke said.

The forecast for Saturday in Ottawa calls for a high of 31 C with a humidex of 39. There is a 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon with the risk of a thunderstorm.

Sunday’s forecast is sunny with a high of 33 C, as is Monday’s. Tuesday could see a high of 34 C, before cooler temperatures return on Wednesday.

The average daily high for this time of year is around 26 C, with lows around 15 C.

Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water. Call 911 if you or anyone is showing signs of heat stroke.

The City of Ottawa has a list of places where residents can cool off.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dylan Dyson