With a scorching weekend coming, Londoners are thinking about ways to beat the heat.
Environment Canada issued a heat warning on Wednesday, with forecasts calling for daytime high temperatures ranging from 30 C to 32 C through the weekend. With a blanket of humid air covering the region, it will feel much hotter. Humidex readings reaching 40 C are possible on Friday.
Over the noon hour on Wednesday, Victoria Park was filled with people enjoying sunshine and a comfortable 24 C. Many were aware that the days are about to get much hotter and were considering how they will deal with that.
"I'm currently sitting in the shade, so I’m officially winning right now,” said a man named David. “Otherwise, I think just keep myself hydrated and be smart about it.”
He also had some suggestions for the city to help Londoners stay cool, specifically for adults who are looking for a bit of grown-up fun in the sun.
"We need a couple plunge pools in this city, ya know? Talk to Mayor Brown, and get some more water in these public places,” David said. “A little splash pad for adults would be nice."
Some people are already taking the initiative to help Londoners stay cool. Three teens involved with the Campus Creative summer camp, which sets out to help young people learn computer skills, were handing out freezies to anyone they saw.
One of them, named Connor, said it will take more than freezies to keep him cool this weekend.
"I might head to be beach, go for a dip in my pool, but I'm definitely going to be having some freezies from Campus Creative,” he said.
Sarah, another park visitor who sat down to take a break from riding her bike, has her plans in place for this weekend.
"I'm going to beat the heat by going to East Park to go to the waters slides and stuff,” she said. "We're also heading to the beach, Port Stanley.”
Environment Canada is expecting the daytime high temperature to fall below 30 C next week.
**This story was written by Samuel Gallant. Samuel is a student in the Fanshawe College broadcast journalism program. He is performing a summer internship with Blackburn News.**