Environment Canada has issued a warning for a multi-day heat event for the GTA and all of southern Ontario starting Sunday.
The national weather service says people can expect daytime highs ranging between 30 and 34 C with a humidex that will make it feel like 42.
There won’t be much relief from the heat at night with lows ranging between 19 and 23 C.
All of southern Ontario, along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, is expected to feel the effects of the heat wave
“The hottest conditions are expected on Monday,” Environment Canada says, adding the duration of the heat event remains uncertain in some regions.
“In central Ontario, the heat event may end Monday night. Over some areas, the heat event could persist into Wednesday.”
The City of Toronto says residents can find relief from the heat and humidity at its more than 500 cool spaces across the city, including libraries, community centres, and the following air-conditioned civic buildings:
- North York Civic Centre – From 7:30 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
- Scarborough Civic Centre – From 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
- Etobicoke Civic Centre – From 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
- York Civic Centre – From 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m.
- East York Community Centre – From 8 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends until 9:30 p.m. (East York Civic Centre is currently undergoing maintenance to its air-conditioning system).
- Metro Hall lobby area (Rotunda) – 24/7
The following eight city-run pools will be open until 11:45 p.m. for as long as the heat warning is in effect:
- Alex Duff Memorial Pool at Christie Pits Park
- Fairbank Memorial Swimming Pool
- Halbert Park (until 9 p.m.)
- McGregor Park Community Centre
- Monarch Park
- North Toronto Memorial Community Centre
- Smithfield Park
- Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool
Alongside the City’s pools, more than 140 splash pads will operate daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 84 of 85 wading pools are open.
Ten supervised beaches are also open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can check the water quality status at those beaches on the City of Toronto’s website.
Health officials caution that the warm, humid temperatures present health risks for older adults, infants and young children, pregnant women, people with physical and/or mental illnesses, and people with disabilities or mobility issues.
“Drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty, to decrease your risk of dehydration,” Environment Canada says. “Never leave people, particularly children, or pets inside a parked vehicle.”
This is the fifth heat warning issued for southern Ontario this summer, including extreme heat that broke records in June.
Wildfire smoke could also move back into the GTA starting Monday, mixing with hot and humid conditions.