Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for London and all of southwestern Ontario ahead of scorching, humid temperatures expected over the Canada Day long weekend.
According to the advisory, the national weather agency says beginning Friday and continuing through the long weekend, Londoners will see day-time highs in the low to mid-thirties, feeling like the mid-forties with the humidity.
“We’re talking 34 C to 35 C for Saturday and Sunday,” said Anthony Farnell, chief meteorologist with Global News.
“What makes this different then some of the past heat waves we’ve had is the humidity. That’s going to make things oppressive both of those days. The humidex could approach 45 C.”
There will be no respite from the muggy conditions in the overnight hours, where temperatures will fall only to the low to mid-20s, Environment Canada said.
“Even through next week, overnight lows will stay above 20 C and during the day it’s going to feel close to 40 C,” said Farnell.
“This is definitely some tropical air coming in. This heat ridge looks like it’s going to last right up until next weekend (Friday July 6),” he said.
According to the advisory, this will be “the most significant heat event in the past few years.”
It also doesn’t say when the weather agency will drop its warning; Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 30 degrees on Monday, 31 degrees on Tuesday, and 32 degrees on both Wednesday and Thursday.
The heat has prompted officials with the Middlesex-London Health Unit to issue their third extended heat warning of the year on Thursday. The warning came into effect on Friday and will last until Tuesday, July 3.
The health unit issues heat warnings when the national weather agency forecasts three or more consecutive days of highs above 31 C or humidex values 40 C or higher.
Residents are reminded to stay hydrated, wear loose-fitting, light clothing, to avoid intense or moderate physical activity, avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, and cola, and to avoid spending too much time outdoors.
“I always come to the beach on a hot hot day,” said Evonne Malin, as she sat under the shade of a beach umbrella at the Erie Rest Beach in Port Stanley.
She drove in from St. Thomas to cool off.
“I make sure I have my beach umbrella and a little floaty for the water, and my book or my iPad. I spend a good five hours here, at least,” she explained.
It’s also not unusual for Jessica Pawley to spend a day soaking in the sun.
“I live here in Port Stanley, so this is pretty common to come down here. Today is extra hot, so we’re enjoying a couple drinks and plan to go swimming to cool down.”
Meanwhile, Farnell thinks there’ll be a transition to some cooler weather coming Saturday July 7 or Sunday July 8.
“As we move through the month I don’t see any more heat waves like we’re going to see in the next seven to nine days.”
A list of cooling centres in the city can be found online. Information about pet care can be found by contacting London Animal Care Centre at 519-685-1330 or visiting accpets.ca.