Toronto and rest of southern Ontario set to bake under ‘multi-day heat event’

FILE - A family take pictures in the shade on a hot day in Toronto on Thursday, June 23, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Environment Canada is warning of a “multi-day heat event” in Toronto and the rest of southern Ontario that will begin this weekend with humidex values of up to 40.

As a result, a heat warning has been issued.

During the heat event, Environment Canada said the region will see daytime highs of 30 to 33 C and with humidity, it will feel like between 35 and 40.

At night, there is little heat relief, as the temperature will only dip to lows of 19 to 23 C.

• Hourly and 7-day forecast on our CP24.com weather hub

Environment Canada said the heat will break by the middle of next week with the arrival of slightly cooler temperatures.

According to the national weather agency’s latest forecast, Toronto will see highs of 32 C, 33 C, 33 C, and 31 C on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

“Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion,” Environment Canada said.

Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue.

“Take action to protect yourself and others – extreme heat can affect everyone’s health."

City of Toronto’s response

The city says all of its camps will run as planned but activities may be modified and trips may be postponed.

The Metro Hall lobby area is going to be a 24/7 cool space while the heat warning is in effect, the city says.

In addition, the following air-conditioned civic buildings are open to the public on extended hours:

• North York Civic Centre— 7:30 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
• Scarborough Civic Centre—8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
• Etobicoke Civic Centre— 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
• York Civic Centre— 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
• East York Civic Centre – 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.

The city’s 58 public outdoor pools are open daily and during the heat event, the following are open until 11:45 p.m.:

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool at Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford St.
• Fairbank Memorial Swimming Pool, 2213 Dufferin St.
• McGregor Park Community Centre, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
• Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Ave.
• North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. W.
• Smithfield Park, 175 Mount Olive Dr.
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
• Heron Park, 292 Manse Rd