What to know
- Environment Canada has extended Toronto’s heat warning through Saturday after originally expecting it to end Friday.
- More than 500 cooling spaces, extended pool hours and additional drinking water stations remain available across the city.
- The City says heat relief measures will continue at FIFA Fan Festival Toronto, including misting stations, shaded cooling areas and free drinking water.
- Officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors and check on neighbours and loved ones who may be vulnerable to extreme heat.
Just because the calendar has flipped to the weekend doesn’t mean Toronto’s heat wave is over.
Environment Canada has extended its heat warning for Toronto through Saturday after originally expecting it to end Friday, meaning residents will have to endure at least another day of dangerous temperatures and humidity.
The extension comes after several parts of southern Ontario, including Toronto Pearson Airport, set new Canada Day temperature records earlier this week as humidex values climbed into the 40s.
City keeping heat relief measures in place
With the warning continuing, the City of Toronto says its Heat Relief Strategy will remain in effect.
Residents can cool off at more than 500 Cool Spaces, including libraries, community centres and civic centres across the city.
Several civic centres are also operating with extended hours during the heat warning, while outdoor pools, splash pads, wading pools and supervised beaches remain open to help residents beat the heat.
The city has also set up four mobile drinking water stations at Nathan Phillips Square, Mel Lastman Square, East York Civic Centre and Barbara Hall Park. Nathan Phillips Square’s station will remain in place throughout the FIFA World Cup.
Extra precautions at FIFA Fan Festival
With thousands of fans continuing to attend FIFA World Cup events, the city says additional heat relief measures remain in place at FIFA Fan Festival Toronto.
Visitors will have access to misting stations, a shaded cooling area near Fort York, free drinking water and on-site medical and first aid staff throughout the event.
How to stay safe
Toronto Public Health is reminding residents to drink water regularly, even before feeling thirsty, wear lightweight clothing and avoid spending long periods outdoors during the hottest part of the day.
Officials are also encouraging people to check in on older adults, neighbours, friends and anyone who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.
Symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, confusion and extreme fatigue can be early signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Anyone experiencing severe or worsening symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Looking ahead
The heat warning remains in effect through Saturday, with Environment Canada forecasting another hot and humid day across Toronto before cooler conditions are expected to arrive later in the weekend.
The extended heat warning comes as Toronto heads into another busy summer weekend, with events including Taste of Lawrence, FIFA Fan Festival Toronto and other outdoor festivals expected to draw large crowds. Anyone planning to spend time outside is encouraged to monitor the forecast, stay hydrated and take regular breaks in the shade or at one of the city’s cooling spaces.
