A multi-day “heat event” continues for Toronto with a forecast for scorching weather in the GTA and across most of Ontario this week. Environment Canada is also warning that the hot, humid weather conditions could lead to a deterioration of air quality across the city. Here’s what we know about the extreme heat wave. Toronto heat warningEnvironment Canada issued a heat warning for Toronto this week, predicting temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s, calling it a “multi-day heat event.”Wednesday morning kicked off with sunny skies, but Toronto will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers and risk of thunderstorms late afternoon and winds gusting up to 20 km/h. Temperatures are expected to hit a high of 31 C, with a Humidex of 36 C and a UV index of 9 or very high. The hot weather will push Toronto’s air quality health index to moderate risk levels. The higher temperatures come on the heels of worsening wildfire smoke that last week saw Toronto take one of the top spots on a list of the world cities for worst air quality.Environment Canada said people should reduce their outdoor activities if they experience air pollution symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing. Some experts warn that even brief exposure to smoke or air pollution could have harmful effects on the brain and body. The weather agency warned people to be on the lookout for the effects of heat illness. Symptoms include swelling, rash, cramps and heat stroke. The risk of developing heat exhaustion is greater among children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors, Environment Canada said. How to cope with extreme heat in TorontoExperts warn that extreme heat can have serious effects on the body and even our mental health. A human bodies needs to maintain a stable core temperature of about 37 C to properly function. Hot outdoor temperatures can make it difficult for the body to release heat by sweating, and older adults face greater risk during hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate internal temperatures. Extreme heat can cause death. Recent heat wave tragedies in Canada include the death of more than 500 people in B.C. in 2021 as the result of a record-breaking heat dome. Health Canada says the best way to beat the heat is to keep cool and stay hydrated, and to plan ahead for extreme heat events when possible. Toronto’s “cool spaces” across the cityToronto’s heat relief strategy is in effect from May 15 to September 30, including a network of 500-plus “cool spaces” across the city. The city operates a map that lists places where people and pets can go to for heat relief, including community centres, pools and libraries.In a tweet, the city reminded people to check on their friends, family and neighbours — including seniors living alone — who may be at risk in the heat.Toronto weekly weather forecastWednesday is forecast to receive a mix of sun and cloud, with high of 31 C and a humidex of 36 C and a risk of a thunderstorms early this evening.Thursday temperatures are expected to reach a daytime high of 29 C and a Humidex of 37 C, with a mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. On Thursday evening, temperatures could drop to a low of 18 C with 60 per cent chance of showers.The weather outlook Friday through Sunday is for temperatures to remain in the high 20s with a mix of sun and cloud. Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie
A multi-day “heat event” continues for Toronto with a forecast for scorching weather in the GTA and across most of Ontario this week.
Environment Canada is also warning that the hot, humid weather conditions could lead to a deterioration of air quality across the city.
Here’s what we know about the extreme heat wave.
Toronto heat warning
Environment Canada issued a heat warning for Toronto this week, predicting temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s, calling it a “multi-day heat event.”
Wednesday morning kicked off with sunny skies, but Toronto will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers and risk of thunderstorms late afternoon and winds gusting up to 20 km/h.
Temperatures are expected to hit a high of 31 C, with a Humidex of 36 C and a UV index of 9 or very high.
The hot weather will push Toronto’s air quality health index to moderate risk levels. The higher temperatures come on the heels of worsening wildfire smoke that last week saw Toronto take one of the top spots on a list of the world cities for worst air quality.
Environment Canada said people should reduce their outdoor activities if they experience air pollution symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing.
Some experts warn that even brief exposure to smoke or air pollution could have harmful effects on the brain and body.
The weather agency warned people to be on the lookout for the effects of heat illness. Symptoms include swelling, rash, cramps and heat stroke.
The risk of developing heat exhaustion is greater among children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors, Environment Canada said.
How to cope with extreme heat in Toronto
Experts warn that extreme heat can have serious effects on the body and even our mental health. A human bodies needs to maintain a stable core temperature of about 37 C to properly function.
Hot outdoor temperatures can make it difficult for the body to release heat by sweating, and older adults face greater risk during hot weather because their bodies are less able to regulate internal temperatures.
Extreme heat can cause death. Recent heat wave tragedies in Canada include the death of more than 500 people in B.C. in 2021 as the result of a record-breaking heat dome.
Health Canada says the best way to beat the heat is to keep cool and stay hydrated, and to plan ahead for extreme heat events when possible.
Toronto’s “cool spaces” across the city
Toronto’s heat relief strategy is in effect from May 15 to September 30, including a network of 500-plus “cool spaces” across the city.
The city operates a map that lists places where people and pets can go to for heat relief, including community centres, pools and libraries.
In a tweet, the city reminded people to check on their friends, family and neighbours — including seniors living alone — who may be at risk in the heat.
Toronto weekly weather forecast
Wednesday is forecast to receive a mix of sun and cloud, with high of 31 C and a humidex of 36 C and a risk of a thunderstorms early this evening.
Thursday temperatures are expected to reach a daytime high of 29 C and a Humidex of 37 C, with a mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. On Thursday evening, temperatures could drop to a low of 18 C with 60 per cent chance of showers.
The weather outlook Friday through Sunday is for temperatures to remain in the high 20s with a mix of sun and cloud.
Marissa Birnie is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @marissabirnie
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