Extreme heat is hammering Ontario. Here's when it's expected to let up
Mercury reached 36 C in Toronto by 4 p.m. Monday, Environment Canada says
Extreme heat continued to hammer the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions on Monday amid a heat warning from Environment Canada that's expected to last at least one more day for most areas.
Daytime highs were forecast to be between 33 and 36 C, with humidex values forecast to range between 42 and 46, according to the federal weather agency.
If temperatures reach 36 C, it would break the record for this time of year, said David Phillips, senior climatologist for Environment Canada.
"We haven't seen a temperature like that for 10 years," he said in an interview with CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Monday. "This is exceptional."
The mercury had reached 36 C by 4 p.m. in Toronto, feeling like 43 with the humidex.
Overnight lows are forecast to be between 22 and 25 C, which the weather agency said will provide "little relief from the heat."
The heat warning is in effect for the following areas: Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Newmarket, Georgina, northern York Region, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Simcoe, Halton Hills, and Milton.
Phillips said the seasonal norm for this time of year is around 24 C.
While Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale are also under a heat warning Monday, Environment Canada says it appears conditions will fall below the heat warning criteria on Tuesday.
Daytime highs between 30 to 33 C are expected for these areas, as well as humidex values between 40 to 43, the weather agency said.
Mayor says city taking measures to keep pools open
Toronto's mayor said Monday that the city is taking measures to ensure pools stay open, after some city pools that had set extended hours temporarily closed over the weekend due to high humidex levels.
Olivia Chow said the city will ensure pools stay open by deploying additional lifeguards, adding more shade and having medical professionals check in with people at pools or stationed at sites.
"Pools need to be open during a heat wave. That's obvious to us all," she said in a social media post.
"We're making sure we have the resources to keep them safe and healthy for City workers and the public alike."
At a news conference on Monday, the mayor said additional lifeguards would be deployed, so that they can take turns and longer breaks.
Chow added she would be bringing a motion forward on Wednesday to address some of the "gaps" in the Toronto Heat Relief Plan, including looking at options to keep the 545 cooling centres across the city open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Given provincial requirements related to heat and humidex (45C+) protocols, some outdoor pools had intermittent closures today to ensure staff health and safety," the city said in a post on X on Sunday.
Staff remained on site to re-open the pools as soon as possible, the post read.
Chow added that city launched a door-to-door pilot project alongside Red Cross ahead of the heat wave, which seeks to visit the city's most vulnerable populations, including seniors.
She also reminded the public that the city opened pools early, ahead of the end of June date she had previously stated, that lifeguards are young or new to the job and that out of 85 pools, only 5 were closed.
Pools need to be open for people to cool down on what might be the hottest day of the year. <br><br>Instead, staff were closing pools and turning people away. <br><br>Totally unacceptable, and sadly another example where you’re paying more and getting less. <a href="https://t.co/6wkom6at08">https://t.co/6wkom6at08</a>
—@BradMBradfordCoun. Brad Bradford called the weekend closures "totally unacceptable" in a post on X on Sunday.
"Pools need to be open for people to cool down on what might be the hottest day of the year," the post read. "Instead, staff were closing pools and turning people away."
Coun. Jamaal Myers said he did not have additional information about the closures, but said there are other options to stay cool, including indoor pools.
"We want our employees to be safe, but I do understand where residents could get frustrated," he told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Monday.
Myers, who is chair of the TTC board, said staff are doing regular performance checks on outdoor parts of the subway rail tracks to check for any defects caused by the extreme heat.
He said he hasn't received information about any defects yet, but if there is a defect, that could result in slower train speed, he said.
TDSB creating cooling centres in schools
A spokesperson for the Toronto District School Board said the board was preparing for the extreme heat all weekend.
The TDSB has around 600 schools which include a mix of schools that are fully air conditioned, partially air conditioned and some that have no air conditioning, spokesperson Shari Schwartz-Maltz said. The majority of the schools have at least a minimum level of air conditioning, such as in the library, she said.
Schwartz-Maltz said every school will have a cooling centre that's stationed in a cooler or air-conditioned part of the school building.
Staff and teachers are observing to see any signs of heat illness in students, she said.
"The key today is common sense and intuition. Teachers know kids," she said.
She said installing air conditioning is always considered when a school is undergoing renovations, but it's an expensive and complex addition.
Both the TDSB and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) sent a message to parents and guardians over the weekend about the heat warning.
A spokesperson for Education Minister Paul Calandra said there are protocols in place to ensure schools follow provincial and municipal health and safety requirements, and that the government is monitoring the weather impacts and working "with school boards to help keep students safe."
"The province provides over $1.4 billion in annual funding to school boards to help renew and improve schools, including air conditioning," Emma Testani said in an email to CBC Toronto.
"Over the next 10 years, our government is investing $30 billion to support school construction, renewal and improvement," she said.
Staff at both boards will take measures including using fans, keeping doors and windows open, limiting outdoor physical education activities and rotating students and staff through cooling areas, according to the statements.
Several pools open daily until heat warning ends
While the heat warning is in effect, the city is stationing three HTO To Go water trailers, which provide free tap water 24/7, at Nathan Phillips Square, Trinity Bellwoods Park and Sankofa Square.
The following pools are open until 11:45 p.m. daily until the heat warning ends:
- Alex Duff Pool – 779 Crawford St.
- Fairbank Memorial – 50 Keywest Ave .
- Sunnyside Park/Gus Ryder Pool – 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
- McGregor Park – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
- North Toronto Outdoor Pool – 200 Eglinton Ave W.
- Smithfield Park – 175 Mount Olive Dr.
- Monarch Park – 115 Felstead Ave.
- Halbert Park – 24 Rockwood Dr. (open until 9 p.m. only).
A full list of pools and hours is available on the city's website.
The following air-conditioned civic buildings are open to the public on extended hours:
- North York Civic Centre, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Metro Hall, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Scarborough Civic Centre, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Etobicoke Civic Centre, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- York Civic Centre, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- East York Civic Centre, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
There are more than 500 cool spaces across the city — including libraries, community centres and pools — where people can find relief during the extreme heat. A list of cool spaces is on the city's website.
During heat warnings, the city said it is enhancing its street outreach efforts and opening more than 100 additional surge capacity spaces at existing shelter programs.
The city handed out around 14,000 water bottles over the weekend to people experiencing homelessness, including those in encampments, according to a news release. Chow said at the news conference on Monday that the city had purchased 500,000 water bottles to hand out.
Watch for symptoms of heat stroke
Environment Canada is advising people to limit exposure to sun and heat by planning activities during the coolest parts of the day, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, light-coloured, loose fitting clothing.
People are advised to watch for symptoms of heat stroke, which is a medical emergency, in themselves and others. Symptoms 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," Environment Canada said in Monday's warning.
The weather agency also advised people to drink water often, even before feeling thirsty, and close blinds and open windows if the outside is cooler than inside.
"If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library or shaded park," the heat warning says.
People are also advised to check in regularly on those at greater risk of heat illness, including the elderly and those living alone.
Signs of heat exhaustion may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. If you experience these symptoms, Environment Canada advises stopping your activity and drinking water.
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With files from Metro Morning