Weather advisory: The heat alert for southern Ontario and Quebec is due to be lifted tonight
**Heat Wave Continues to Impact Southern Ontario and Quebec, Prompting Health Warnings and Extended Hours for Cooling Centres**
The ongoing heat wave in southern Ontario and Quebec has led to a series of significant impacts, particularly on public facilities and health warnings due to the extreme temperatures and humidity.
## Public Facilities
In response to the soaring temperatures, cities like Toronto have opened numerous cooling centres to provide relief from the heat. During the recent heat wave, the city opened 500 cooling centres [2]. However, the situation was complicated by thunderstorms in Quebec, which led to power outages, affecting thousands of people and exacerbating the heat-related challenges, especially for those without air conditioning [2].
## Health Warnings
Environment Canada has issued warnings to watch for signs of heat exhaustion and stroke, which include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and intense fatigue. Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency [3]. Residents are advised to stay hydrated by drinking water regularly and to avoid overexertion. It is recommended to take breaks and rest in cool places [1][3].
There is a particular focus on checking in on older adults, those living alone, and individuals at higher risk of heat-related illnesses [3]. With the humidex values in Greater Montreal expected to soar near 40 C on Sunday [1], and the humidex at Toronto's Pearson International Airport reaching a high of 40 C on Sunday, these warnings are particularly relevant.
## Weather Forecast
A cold front is expected to pass through the regions, bringing a chance of rain and potential thunderstorms. Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms, with wind gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour, heavy rain, and hail predicted [1].
In other parts of Greater Toronto, residents sought out shade in public parks to beat the heat. The Toronto Blue Jays will close the roof at the Rogers Centre for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels due to the heat [1].
It is not the first heat warning for Ontario this summer, as two weeks ago, extreme heat reaching the mid-30s broke records in many parts of the province [1]. As the heat wave is expected to end late Sunday [1], residents are urged to stay in cool areas and watch for signs of heat exhaustion, such as headache, nausea, and dizziness [1].
References: [1] CBC News. (2023, July 30). Montreal heat wave: Much of southern Quebec under heat warning and severe thunderstorm watch. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-heat-wave-heat-warning-severe-thunderstorm-watch-1.6504059 [2] Global News. (2023, July 30). Toronto opens 500 cooling centres as heat wave continues. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://globalnews.ca/news/9014187/toronto-cooling-centres-heat-wave/ [3] Toronto Public Health. (2023). Heat Wave. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/health/health-programs-advice/diseases-illnesses/extreme-heat/
Scientists predict that the ongoing climate change may exacerbate weather conditions, making heat waves like this one more frequent in the future, potentially posing serious health risks for communities.
The environmental science aspect of this situation highlights the crucial need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events on public health and facilities.
As the weather cools and rain arrives, it becomes even more important for people to remain vigilant about their health and continue hydrating and taking necessary precautions against heat exhaustion.
