Parts of northern, southern Manitoba under heat warning until Friday

Parts of northern and southern Manitoba are under a heat warning until Friday, and Environment Canada is warning that southern Manitoba should expect "the most humid weather of the summer so far."

A hot and humid air mass is forecast to move into southern Manitoba on Thursday, with humidex values nearing 40, Environment Canada said in a heat warning issued Wednesday afternoon.

The heat warning for southern Manitoba includes the cities of Winnipeg, Brandon, Steinbach, Morden and Winkler, stretching from southeast to southwestern parts of the province and up into the Interlake region.

The same air mass led to a separate heat warning for parts of northern Manitoba over the next two days, as daytime temperatures near 29 C and overnight lows near 16 C are forecast in that region. That warning includes the communities of Wabowden, Norway House Cree Nation and St. Theresa Point First Nation.

A cold front should bring relief as it moves through the province on Friday night, Environment Canada said.

Extreme heat can affect everyone's health, but the risks are greater for older adults and other vulnerable people, and Environment Canada is asking people to watch for early signs of heat exhaustion, including headache, nausea, dizziness and intense fatigue.

To reduce the health effects of heat, stay out of direct sunlight, drink plenty of water and stay in a cool space, closing blinds and open windows if it is cooler outside than inside or turning on air conditioning, Environment Canada said.

The weather agency also advises people to ensure children and pets are never left alone in closed vehicles.

Those 65 and older, pregnant people, infants, young children and people with an existing illness or chronic health conditions are more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, Environment Canada said.

Hydration stations, cooling centres in Winnipeg

With extreme heat predicted over the coming days, nine hydration stations will be available for Winnipeg residents to access clean, cool drinking water, the city said in a news release on Wednesday. The stations are at:

• 469 Selkirk Ave. (The Bell Tower).
• Southwest corner of Stella Avenue and Main Street (near Mount Carmel Clinic).
• Northeast corner of Princess Street and Henry Avenue (near Siloam Mission).
• Southeast corner of Roslyn Road and Osborne Street.
• 369 Furby St. (near Agape Table).
• Southeast corner of Maryland Street and Ellice Avenue (near Spence Neighbourhood Association).
• 190 Disraeli Freeway (near N'Dinawemak)..
• 406 Edmonton St. (Central Park near Knox United Church)
• 185 Young St. (Broadway Neighbourhood Centre).

The city said residents can also access drinking water at air-conditioned municipal leisure centres and libraries during their regular operating hours. 

City pools and spray pads are also available to the public, with some community centres set up as cooling centres, the city said.