Ottawa heat wave: how to stay safe, and as cool as possible

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Everybody in the pool. Or the lake. Or the river. Or to the bath or shower for a cooling off exercise.

As The Beatles sang, Here Comes The Sun. And then some.

Ottawa Public Health is preparing for an extreme heat event in the city early in the week — daytime highs of between 33-34 degrees C and nighttime lows of between 20-23 C from Tuesday through Thursday. Humidex “feels like” readings could top 40.

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“It’s going to be hot,” understated Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Gerald Cheng in an interview. “The summer is coming. It’s something people have to prepare for. It’s above normal for sure for this time of year and everybody needs to be careful. Especially the most vulnerable population.”

Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the Ottawa area on Sunday, saying, “A prolonged heat event will begin on Monday. Dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected through most of the week.”

When do the extreme heat alarm bells start ringing?

Ottawa Public Health takes its cue from Environment and Climate Change Canada, which sees potential trouble looming days in advance and delivers warning alerts.

The trigger for an official heat warning is based on oven-like weather forecasts for at least two consecutive days: when temperatures are expected to be 31 C or above, when nighttime lows don’t dip below 20 C, and when humidex readings top 40.

Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to hit 30 C on Monday, 34 C on Tuesday, 34 C on Wednesday and 33 C on Thursday, with no rain in the forecast.

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Come Friday, there’s a 40 per cent chance of precipitation, when the expected high drops to 29C.

Environment Canada recently updated its vigilance bulletin — a longer-range forecast for predictability of excessive heat in Ottawa — to between medium and high. A special weather statement was delivered for the Quebec towns of Shawville and Huntingdon.

“An Arctic air mass will affect the province of Quebec beginning next Tuesday,” the statement from Environment and Climate Change reads. “Watch out for heat-related impacts such as heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. Remember to drink plenty of water.”

Wasn’t there a heat advisory already this month?

Yes. Two weeks ago, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement — a “one day heat event” — when the temperature hit 31 C on June 5, breaking a 57-year-old record for that day. With the humidex factored in, it felt like 36.

That, however, was short-term, with the heat dropping significantly at night.

Next week’s extended heat wave, on the other hand, could last for three or four days.

OPH issues its own concerns on social media and advises all residents to download the WeatherCAN app to be up to date on any changes.

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“We offer alerts to all our subscribers about extreme weather, just like (Thursday night) with the tornado watches,” said Michelle Goulet, health inspector with OPH’s Healthy Environments team. “There’s public health messaging on our website, ottawapublichealth.ca, on how to beat the heat.”

“Everybody is at risk, but some people are more at risk,” said Goulet.

Excessive heat can hit hardest against the elderly, children and those with chronic illnesses.

If you must be outside, think twice about caffeine and alcohol intake and be careful about throwing back energy drinks.

“People who work outside can also suffer heat stroke,” said Goulet. “Take breaks, drink a lot of water. And if you think you might be outside for outdoor activities, cut back on the caffeine and alcohol, and drink more water.”

At times, the heat will be suffocating. Goulet suggests the community come together to do the neighbourly thing and check in on those who could possibly be vulnerable.

If you happen to see a roofer or construction worker going about their business in the midday sun, an offer of extra water would be a welcome gesture.

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What can we do if we have no air conditioning?

The most fortunate might be able to chill out watching Netflix with the air conditioning on full blast, but that’s not an option for everyone.

There are other ways to cool a house or apartment, if only by a few degrees.

“Keep your windows closed during the day and pull down the blinds to block out the sun as much as possible,” said Goulet.

The best advice is to find a place to cool off. The OPH website includes the 20 best options, including pools, beaches, splash pads and community centres, based on location within the city.

Beginning Saturday, the city’s beaches at Britannia, Mooney’s Bay and Petrie Island will be supervised by lifeguards from noon to 7 p.m.

Goulet also suggests cold showers and baths can significantly lower body temperatures.

“Even just a cold cloth on the body can make a difference,” she said.

Where’s the relief for the homeless during excessive heat?

The city ensures access for all to cool indoor places and programming. Hot weather response teams and outreach services work in partnership with community agencies.

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OPH also gives information to service providers to help the homeless deal with extreme heat.

The Salvation Army’s Ottawa Booth Centre operates a mobile outreach van, which responds to 3-1-1 calls. The van service also works with Ottawa Police, paramedics and fire services, transporting those in need to emergency shelters.

Will it remain Hottawa all summer long?

Environment Canada predicted a warmer-than-usual summer for all of Canada, with the greatest chance of high temperatures coming east of Manitoba.

So, keep filling up the water bottles.

Normal June temperatures in Ottawa are 24.0 C, followed by 27.0 in July and 25.8 C in August.

“Daily weather will vary,” Environment Canada meteorologist Jennifer Smith said in a state of the country release on Tuesday. “Expect heat waves, cool spells and all the fluctuations that summer brings.”

The national weather agency steered clear of making predictions about summer rainfall totals.

kwarren@postmedia.com
X: Citizenkwarren

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