Today in Ottawa, Monday may well establish itself as the scorching point of the summer season.
Ongoing Heat Wave Puts Eastern Ontario and GTHA at Risk
Temperatures in Ottawa and the surrounding areas, including the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, are expected to remain high and humid through Wednesday, with no immediate relief in sight until Tuesday night when a cooler air mass is expected to arrive, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
On Sunday, the city saw a high of 34.8°C, and the forecast for Monday calls for a high of 35°C with a humidex of 43, offering little respite overnight as Monday night is clear with a low of 21°C. Tuesday's forecast predicts another high of 35°C and a humidex of 41, with a slight chance of showers in the late afternoon. There is a possibility of showers in the late afternoon on Tuesday as well.
The ongoing heat wave poses significant health risks, particularly heat stroke, which can manifest in symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, confusion, and changes in consciousness. In such cases, immediate medical attention is required (call 911 if observed). Other signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine, and intense fatigue.
To mitigate these risks, Health Canada and Ottawa Public Health advise taking several precautions. These include staying cool by seeking air-conditioned or shaded environments, staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, monitoring for symptoms of heat illness, especially among vulnerable groups such as infants, older adults, pregnant people, outdoor workers, and people with preexisting conditions, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities during peak heat periods, and watching weather forecasts and heat warnings to adjust plans accordingly.
This heat wave is part of a wider trend in Canada of increasing frequency and duration of extreme heat days, exacerbating health risks and necessitating enhanced public caution and systemic responses. The heat wave also coincides with hazy skies from wildfire smoke, which may worsen air quality and increase respiratory risks.
In Ontario, extreme heat is recognized as a growing crisis impacting workers, students, renters, and vulnerable populations, with calls for more formal protections and heat-related health tracking.
[1] Environment and Climate Change Canada [2] The Toronto Star [3] CBC News [4] Ottawa Public Health [5] Health Canada
Environment and Climate Change Canada reported that the ongoing heat wave in Eastern Ontario and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area is expected to last until Tuesday, with the high temperature and humidity contributing to the risk of climate change and its effects on the environment.According to Health Canada, the heat wave poses significant health risks, particularly heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and they urge taking precautions such as staying cool, staying hydrated, monitoring symptoms among vulnerable groups, and adjusting plans based on weather forecasts and heat warnings.*The Toronto Star reported that the heat wave, part of a wider trend of increasing extreme heat days in Canada, is already impacting Ontario, with calls for more formal protections and heat-related health tracking to address the growing crisis affecting workers, students, renters, and vulnerable populations.
