It’s going to be another day of scorching temperatures in London.
The first week of September kicked off with a couple days of heat warnings and the sweltering heat continued Wednesday.
Environment Canada said it recorded an afternoon high of 31.4 C at London International Airport around 3 p.m.
While the day’s high surpassed a record out of the London International Airport set in 1954, it fell short of an earlier record out of the former London South weather station, used from 1883 to 1931. According to that dataset, the hottest Sept. 5 in London was recorded in 1922 when the temperature reached 33.3 C.
London’s position between multiple Great Lakes is partly to blame for the muggy weather, said Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell.
“If you’ve been up in cottage country or maybe Grand Bend, you notice that the water is pretty warm for this time of year. When you’re surrounded by water at this time it almost feels tropical. When you have water temperatures in the mid-20s it adds humidity to the surrounding land,” he said.
Along the lakes, Farnell said southwesterly winds are responsible for carrying hot and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico.
“That doesn’t show a sign of changing until later on Wednesday,” he said.
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There is a chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms throughout the day Wednesday, which Environment Canada says could locally reduce daytime highs, but the humidex values are still expected to be near 40.
“That goes from just uncomfortable for some people to dangerous for seniors, for those with types of heat-related conditions that have already had a tough time this summer,” said Farnell.
“You add in the fact that kids are going to be susceptible going to school. I know most schools have air conditioning, but for those that don’t, it’s going to be one of those days where people will have to take extra precautions for sure,” he said.
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Severe thunderstorm watches were issued for much of southern Ontario at roughly 1 p.m. Wednesday. Environment Canada says storms are expected to develop in the warm, humid air-mass ahead of a cold front that will cross the region Wednesday night and bring an end to the hot and humid weather.
“I do think we’re going to hit 30 C one or two more times, especially around the middle of September, but it’s not as persistent,” said Farnell.
“We do get some cool nights and cool days and that’s going to be the case late this week and then again late next week,” he said.
— With files from Andrew Graham
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