TORONTO – It is now officially the hottest July 21 on record for the City of Toronto.
The temperature reached 36.1 degrees Celsius at 1:00 p.m. at Pearson International Airport, breaking the daily record of 35.6 set in 1955.
By 3:00 p.m., the mercury had climbed to 37.1 degrees with a humidex reading of 48.
The all-time monthly record for Pearson International Airport may also be challenged. The highest recorded temperature for any day in July was 37.6 Celsius back in 1988.
The hottest day ever in Toronto was back in 1936, when the mercury hit 40.6 degrees Celsius. The official mark for Pearson airport is lower because it didn’t start recording temperatures until one year later in 1937.
It is going to be so hot, the Blue Jays will close the Rogers Centre roof to keep out the midday sun when they play the Seattle Mariners.
It will be the first time the retractable roof will be closed because of extreme heat in the stadium’s 23-year history.
Thoroughbred racing at Toronto’s Woodbine Racetrack was cancelled Thursday afternoon due to concern for the horses.
Canada Post mail carriers in heat dome regions were allowed to start their routes in the early-morning hours, so they weren’t out during the hottest part of the day.
Environment Canada also issued a warning about extreme temperatures and humidex values for all of southern Ontario.
The weather office warns about staying properly hydrated and staying out of the sun during the oppressive humidity.
Environment Canada says temperatures may also rise to record-breaking levels in other parts of central and eastern Canada. It is forecast to reach 32 Celsius in Fredericton, 33 in Montreal, 34 in Ottawa and a staggering 39 in Windsor.
The rising temperatures are due to what’s being called a heat dome — a hot, unmoving high-pressure area hovering over the central part fo the country.
The dome is pushing the jet stream well to the north and keeping cooler or wetter weather out.
Despite the soaring temperatures, the province’s power supply was expected to meet demands.
The Independent Electricity System Operator predicted peak demand wouldn’t crack 26,000 megawatts. The all-time high was Aug. 1, 2006, when Ontario needed 27,005 megawatts of electricity.
IESO spokesman Terry Young said lower industrial demand is one of the reasons no power records will be broken.
Toronto Emergency Medical Services recommended people drink lots of water, stay out of the sun, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., check on elderly or ill neighbours and visit a cool location for those who don’t have air conditioning at home.
Troubling signs to watch for in the heat include dizziness, nausea, headaches, lethargy, muscle cramping, shortness of breath, chest pain and fainting.
With files from The Canadian Press
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