Ottawa had its hottest day of the year Tuesday, with Wednesday potentially even more blistering under this end-of-spring heat wave.
Temperatures are expected to reach 34 C this afternoon in communities such as Ottawa, Cornwall and Maniwaki. The forecasted highs are 31 C in Kingston and Belleville.
It could feel as warm as 43 this afternoon in Ottawa and Maniwaki and 39 in those communities along Lake Ontario with humidity.
Another part of the Environment Canada heat warnings that have been in place since Sunday is the sweltering nights: Ottawa, for example, has a forecasted overnight low of 23 feeling only as “cool” as 32.
The 32.5 C peak recorded at the Ottawa airport station Tuesday was the hottest temperature of the year so far.
Extreme heat can pose significant health risks to everyone, but certain groups are particularly vulnerable. These include older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people and those with physical or mental health conditions.
Ottawa Public Health offers an interactive map of places to stay cool throughout the city, including pools, libraries, splash pads and community centres, plus fountains. Other health authorities and municipalities have shared similar
Everyone is being asked to avoid exercising during peak heat times, staying inside where possible — especially in spaces that are being cooled — and drinking plenty of fluids.
Ottawa Fire Services has issued an open air fire ban because of the heat, dry weather and health risks for firefighters, meaning no campfires, brush pile fires, agricultural burns and wood-burning outdoor fireplaces.
The City of Ottawa said Wednesday it’s made changes to create more pool availability: it has extended hours at its six open outdoor pools and has removed lanes at all indoor and outdoor pools for more free swimming space.
WATCH | Wide-ranging heat wave for most of the week:
Millions of Canadians from Northern Ontario to Newfoundland are dealing with heat and humidity that puts vulnerable people at risk. The ‘heat dome’ high-pressure system that traps hot air near the ground isn’t expected to subside for days.
Wildfire risks range from moderate to high in the parts of the region where provinces monitor this.
Air quality may become a moderate risk to people’s health Wednesday in eastern Ontario, which would mean paying extra attention to respiratory health. It’s forecast to be either good or acceptable in western Quebec.
There is also the risk of a thunderstorm Wednesday and Thursday, except in Maniwaki.
Daily heat records could be set Wednesday in communities such as Cornwall, Gatineau, Kingston and Pembroke.
Thursday, the first day of summer, is expected to feel more like Monday than Tuesday and Wednesday with its forecasted highs ranging from 28 to 31 C in local hubs.
Friday, while still warmer than average, should bring an end to the heat warnings.