Heat warning issued as hot temperatures return to Waterloo region and area for weekend
With heat comes heaving pavement and sidewalks
Grab a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water because temperatures are set to soar again in Waterloo region this weekend.
The Environment Canada forecast for the next three days:
- Friday will be sunny with a high of 28 C.
- Saturday is expected to be mainly cloudy with a chance of showers and a thunderstorm and a high of 30 C.
- Sunday is expected to be cloudy with a chance of rain and a high of 31 C.
Next week, more rain is in the forecast.
A heat warning was issued by Environment Canada on Friday afternoon for Saturday and Sunday, saying humidex values are expected to reach 40 C.
"Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water," the heat warning said.
"If you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body."
The warning also recommended people drink water often, even before feeling thirst, and move to cooler spots of a living space or head out to a shady park if they don't have air conditioning.
The heat for the first weekend in July follows an erratic June, which saw both record-breaking heat and unusually cool temperatures.
The hottest day came on June 24, when temperatures jumped to a scorching 35 C, marking the third-highest reading the University of Waterloo's E.D. Soulis Weather Station has seen in its 25-plus year history.
Alexandra Cournoyer, who works for Environment and Climate Change Canada, says Waterloo region will see more average temperatures as the month goes on.
"Up to July 6, we should see some above-normal temperatures during that period of time by two to three degrees. However, for the rest of July so far the temperatures look close to normal," she said.
Sunny, hot days can cause problems for sidewalks
With the hot weather, and lots of sunshine beating down on them, local municipalities say it's not unusual to see sidewalks heave.
During the heat wave in June, Waterloo received reports of places where some concrete sidewalk panels pushed against each other, forcing them to crack upwards or buckle.
"We've been made aware of this happening in a few locations. Staff removed the impacted panels last week and replacements are expected to be done by this week," city spokesperson Shirley Luu said in an email to CBC News.
In Kitchener, there were five service requests related to sidewalk buckling during the heat in June, but one issue resolved itself as temperatures lowered.
"Sometimes these areas will go back down on their own after the heat dissipates but sometimes they'll require further intervention," city spokesperson Kayla Snyder said in an email.
"When we see a sidewalk heave, we make the area safe through visual markings like cones or paint and will monitor the area. Replacement occurs as necessary."
In Cambridge, there were two locations where sidewalks buckled due to heat stress, one in Galt and one in Preston.