Latest news with #heatwarning
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Heat warnings continue for most of the Maritimes Tuesday
A series of heat warnings remain in place for most of the Maritimes Tuesday with another very warm and humid day in store. All of Nova Scotia is now under a heat warning, except for Digby, Yarmouth, and Shelburne counties. Maximum daytime temperatures will reach up to 31 degrees through Wednesday, though the humidex will make it feel more like 36. Cooler temperatures are expected along parts of the coast and Environment Canada says conditions will begin moderating Thursday. Meanwhile, heat warnings remain in effect for central and southeastern New Brunswick. Temperatures will hover around 30 degrees Tuesday, with humidex values around 36. 'A very warm and humid air mass will continue to affect parts of New Brunswick today. Little relief is expected at night with elevated overnight temperatures. Conditions will begin moderating through the day on Wednesday as a cold front moves through the province,' the warning reads. No heat warnings have been issued for Prince Edward Island, where it is expected to be 28 degrees in Charlottetown on Tuesday. Tips on protecting yourself from extreme heat can be found online.
CBC
a day ago
- Climate
- CBC
Heat warning in GTA expected to end Tuesday night: Environment Canada
Social Sharing A heat warning covering much of the Greater Toronto Area is expected to end on Tuesday night, Environment Canada said. Daytime high temperatures are expected between 31 and 32 C, the federal weather agency said in a statement Tuesday morning. With humidity, temperatures may feel like between 38 to 42 C. "Confidence has increased that cooler temperatures will arrive on Wednesday, bringing an end to the heat event," Environment Canada said. The warning is in effect for the following areas: Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Durham Region, Newmarket, Georgina, northern York Region, Oakville, Halton Hills and Milton. Watch for symptoms of heat stroke Environment Canada is advising people to limit exposure to sun and heat by planning activities during the coolest parts of the day, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, light-coloured, loose fitting clothing. People are advised to watch for symptoms of heat stroke, which is a medical emergency, in themselves and others. Symptoms can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. "While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body," Environment Canada said in Tuesday's warning. The weather agency also advised people to drink water often, even before feeling thirsty, and close blinds and open windows if the outside is cooler than inside. "If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park," the heat warning says. People are also advised to check in regularly on those at greater risk of heat illness, including the elderly and those living alone. Signs of heat exhaustion may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, Environment Canada advises stopping your activity and drinking water.
CBC
a day ago
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfire south of Lytton, B.C., leads to evacuation alert
A wildfire around 10 kilometres south of Lytton, B.C., has led to an evacuation alert for five properties in the Fraser Canyon on Monday night. The Cantilever Bar wildfire was discovered late Monday afternoon on the west side of the Fraser River, and it is visible from the Trans-Canada Highway. It grew quickly and covered an area of 150 hectares as of 10 p.m. PT on Monday, with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) deploying three helicopters and three ground attack crews to the site. Around 9:30 p.m. PT, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation alert for five properties along Spencer Road South. Residents have been told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice as the wildfire, which is suspected to have been caused by human activity, approaches. It was sparked on the same day a heat warning was issued for the Fraser Canyon, which includes Lytton, as Environment Canada says that maximum temperatures in the region are expected to hit between 35 C and 37 C between Tuesday and Thursday. The BCWS said in a provincial situation report that above seasonal temperatures will be seen throughout B.C. this week, with the hottest areas set to be in the southern third of the province. "In addition, there is a significant chance of dry lightning that could impact nearly all regions of the province throughout the week," the service says. "This combination of rising temperatures, fuel drying and dry lightning increases the probability of new wildfires starting."
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Climate
- Globe and Mail
Toronto under heat warnings for more than half the summer, putting city's most vulnerable at risk
Toronto has spent more than half the summer so far under heat warnings, according to data from Environment Canada, which show the area has already surpassed the number of extremely hot days in each of the past two years. Environment Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder said the city has been under a heat warning for 21 days so far this summer, with the fifth such warning issued on Monday. In Toronto, heat warnings are issued when the temperature reaches 31 degrees or higher for two or more consecutive days, while the overnight low remains at 20 degrees or higher. A warning can also be triggered if the humidex – which measures how humidity makes it feel hotter than the actual temperature – is expected to reach above 40 for two consecutive days, Mr. Flisfeder said. The current heatwave hit much of Southern Ontario, with daytime temperatures in the low 30s on Monday and humidex values in the low 40s. The heat prompted public-health warnings as local governments implemented emergency plans and hospitals reported an increase in ER visits. Heat-related emergency-room visits at Toronto hospitals in July have more than doubled this year, compared with visits the same month last year, according to data provided by Toronto Public Health. The data show there were 51 heat-related emergency-department visits to Toronto hospitals so far this month as of Sunday, compared with 21 in July, 2024, and 16 in July, 2023. Heat wave blamed for 42 Toronto emergency room visits, public health says Toronto to review gaps in city's heat strategy at Mayor Olivia Chow's request Health Canada lists people with low incomes, people with chronic illnesses and those experiencing homelessness as particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Rev. Maggie Helwig, rector of the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields in Toronto's Kensington Market, said she's noticed people who access services at the church seem listless during periods of extreme heat. Ms. Helwig said the church receives enough donations of water to be able to provide it to those in need. It also has a drop-in program on Friday evenings, and serves breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. The church's yard is currently home to about eight or nine people who live outdoors in an encampment, she said. 'People are clearly unwell and being very badly affected,' Ms. Helwig said, adding that people are dehydrated and visibly sunburnt. She said that while the city offers cooling centres for those experiencing homelessness, there are still barriers to accessing them, such as the distance required to travel to get to them. 'To get from Kensington Market to Metro Hall in an extreme heat alert is in itself dangerous,' Ms. Helwig said, referring to one of the municipally run cooling centres. In the short term, she said people need access to water and air-conditioned spaces. However, what vulnerable people really need is access to housing. 'The ultimate answer is not patching up – bandaging – a lot of wounds on the street. The ultimate answer is: Get people into housing,' Ms. Helwig said. Mr. Flisfeder said there have been more days under heat warnings in Toronto so far this summer than in the past few years, with 16 days last year, 19 in 2023 and 23 in 2022. Ask a doctor: What are the signs of heat illness? Presently, the city is trending toward summers similar to 2016 and 2020, when there were seven and eight warnings issued, respectively, Mr. Flisfeder said. He said the temperature is expected to remain above average for the rest of the summer. 'That doesn't mean every day or every week we'll be under a heat event or a heat warning, but generally speaking, when we compare to climatological norms, we're expecting over all, the rest of the summer to be above seasonal,' Mr. Flisfeder said. Daytime highs this time of the year should be around 27 degrees in Toronto, he said. Typically, the daytime highs would go down to the mid-20s halfway through August and would continue to decline as September approaches. The City of Toronto has a Heat Relief Strategy, which includes a map of cool spaces such as public pools, community centres, splash pads, libraries and more. Senior communications adviser for the City of Toronto Elise von Scheel said the municipality activates more than 100 additional shelter spaces across the city during heat warnings. Additional staff who focus on distributing water bottles to people experiencing homelessness, including those in encampments, are also deployed during heat warnings, she said.
CTV News
a day ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Londoners urged to check on vulnerable as temperatures soar under the sizzling sun
Local Ark Aid Mission sets up system to help provide critical relief from the heat. CTV London's Reta Ismail has the story. With a heat warning in effect and temperatures soaring, local health officials and outreach organizations are urging Londoners to take precautions and help protect the most vulnerable members of the community. Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the region, forecasting daytime highs between 30 and 33 degrees with humidex values reaching as high as 42. Overnight lows are expected to stay above 19, offering little relief. The heat wave is expected to persist through Tuesday night. In downtown London, the Ark Aid Mission has added a shaded patio and makeshift misting station to help people experiencing homelessness cool off. Steven, who is currently unhoused, says it makes a big difference. 'It keeps you cool, and they give shade,' he said. 'There's no other shade in the city except for trees. And, without it, I don't think a lot of people would survive, to tell you the truth.' Sarah Campbell, executive director of Ark Aid Mission says they are doing what they can to help during the heat warning. She added that the Ark Aid is funded for just four hours of daily service but is operating 8 hours Monday through Friday, and 12 hours on Saturday and Sunday. 'Much like our winter planning, we look to find ways to get people indoors, give them an opportunity to rest, make sure that they have proper nourishment,' she said. 'We are working with our partners to make sure there's an everyday location for lunch and dinner and breakfast. We really try to just take those basic needs one by one, having a shower, access to running water, a bathroom.' The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reminding residents that extreme heat can be dangerous and even deadly especially for the elderly, infants and people without adequate housing. 'It can start with symptoms such as sweating, just some general fatigue and cramps and stuff like that,' said Dave Pavletic, manager of environmental health at the health unit. 'And then it could lead to some more significant symptoms, which can be heatstroke which is a medical emergency.' Pavletic encourages residents to take it easy, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and check in on others who may be at risk. 'You want to make sure that you check on family and friends, particularly folks that are elderly and may not have air conditioning, because the indoor heat can be a significant concern too,' he said. Environment Canada says relief is on the way, with slightly lower temperatures expected by Wednesday.
