(Photo courtesy © Can Stock Photo / Oakozhan)(Photo courtesy © Can Stock Photo / Oakozhan)
Sarnia

Canada Day Party Will Be A Hot Time

It's going to be extremely hot as we celebrate Canada's 151st birthday.

Heat warnings were issued across southern Ontario Thursday afternoon as a high pressure system south of Lake Erie draws up hot, humid air from the American Deep South.

Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson says stifling heat could persist through next week, making it the most significant heat wave of the past few years.

"Starting Friday we're getting temperatures around the 30 C mark, humidex readings approaching 40 on Friday," says Coulson. "And then the two warmest days of this event look to be Saturday and Sunday, a high of 33 C Saturday feeling more like the mid-40s. Another hot and humid day on Canada Day on Sunday with a high of 32 C.

The one record that could be broken is on Saturday when a high of 33 C (91 F) is forecast. The standing record high for June 30 in Sarnia is 33.9 C set in 1971.

Coulson says with temperatures near record values and many out celebrating Canada Day, we're urged to take precautions.

"Try to minimize the time outside during the heat of the day between about the noon hour and 4pm or 5pm in the afternoon. But certainly it is the holiday long weekend, people will be celebrating Canada Day, so the other important thing to remember is to stay hydrated, water, sports drinks, fruit drinks to keep that hydration level up so people don't start to feel faint and get those first signs of heat exhaustion," he says.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Coulson says there's also the chance of showers and thunderstorms developing in the heat and humidity later Sunday afternoon into the evening, and on holiday Monday as well.

Visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca for more information about cooling centre locations, extreme heat and your health.

 

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