As July comes to an end, the city is bracing for a multi-day heat event, with Environment Canada issuing a heat warning until Tuesday for Toronto and much of southern Ontario.
A daytime high of 33 C is expected Monday, and 31 C on Tuesday, with humidex values between 38 and 43.
Little relief will be provided overnight as warmer temperatures are expected to continue into the evening, with lows hovering at 22 and 19 C for both Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
“So, today and tomorrow, we’re expecting temperatures to be in the low 30s, with the humidity, it’s going to be feeling more like the low 40s. So, very hot, very muggy conditions,” Steven Flisfeder, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, told Now Toronto Monday.
“Typically, this is the result of warm, humid air coming up from the southern United States. The atmospheric pattern is such that those conditions are being pushed into southern Ontario, and most of the time they persist for at least a couple of days.”
The national weather agency, which issued the heat warning Sunday, says the hottest conditions are expected Monday and Tuesday. It adds that cooler temperatures are set to arrive on Wednesday, bringing the heat event to an end.
“So, this weather is going to persist tomorrow. After that, conditions will start to improve. The temperatures will gradually dip back down towards normal by the latter half of the week,” Flisfeder said.
On Wednesday, the high is expected to reach 30 C, with a 30 per cent chance of showers and a low of 17 C. Sunny on Thursday and Friday, with daytime highs set to be 26 C and 25 C, respectively, and overnight lows of 15 C both days.
Despite the dip in temperatures later this week, Flisfeder says it may still feel warmer with the humidex.
“So, today and tomorrow, we’re still expecting those low 30-degree temperatures and around 40-degree humidex values for Wednesday. The high 20 degrees will feel more like the mid to upper 30s with the humidex, but we’ll see a return to near normal temperatures for the latter half of the week, so more in the 25 to 27 degrees Celsius range.”
The city has experienced persistent heat and humidity since late last week, prompting health officials to urge residents to take precaution against heat-related illness.
“Anytime there’s hot, humid conditions that are uncomfortable for any particular individual, it’s recommended to think of a cool, preferably shaded, place you can go to find some relief from the temperatures,” Flisfeder said.
“Avoid strenuous activity, particularly during the hottest parts of the day when the sun is at its peak, usually in the late afternoon. If you can’t avoid those activities altogether, it’s recommended to do them early in the morning before that heat has really set in for the day or after sunset, and once the sun is no longer beating down and increasing your risk of heat-related illness. And most importantly, it’s important to stay as hydrated as possible, drinking water throughout the day even before you start to feel thirsty.”
The City of Toronto has a heat relief strategy designed to provide residents with safe options to beat the heat, including access to cool spaces, hot weather response plans, and additional heat and health resources.
