Get ready, Toronto: forecast calls for a sweltering weekend

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for the city of Toronto this weekend.

Expect daytime highs of 31 to 33 C, although it may feel closer to 40 with the humidex, the federal agency says.

Overnight lows are expected around 21 to 25 C, Environment Canada says, "providing little relief from the heat."

Extreme heat can bring extreme health risks.

The agency is urging people to take care on Saturday and Sunday, and to check on those who live alone, more senior adults, and other people who may be at risk, including those who are pregnant.

Signs of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue.

If you notice them, Environment Canada says, you should stop what you're doing and drink some water.

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With more extreme heat waves expected in the future, some communities are finding ways to become more heat resistant.

In the case of heat stroke, which is more severe than heat exhaustion, Environment Canada advises people to get emergency help — including calling 911.

Signs of heat stroke include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and a change in consciousness levels.

City offering cool spaces this weekend

To help Torontonians during the heat warning, the city will keep 54 out of its 58 outdoor pools open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the city said in an update Friday evening. The following pools will be open until 11:45 p.m. while the heat warning is in effect:

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool at Christie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Street  
• Fairbank Memorial Swimming Pool, 2213 Dufferin Street
• McGregor Park Community Centre, 2231 Lawrence Avenue E.  
• Monarch Park, 115 Felstead Avenue 
• North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 200 Eglinton Ave. W.  
• Smithfield Park, 175 Mount Olive Drive  
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Boulevard W. 

The city says it has also introduced new protocols to help ensure outdoor pools remain fully operational, increasing staffing this weekend, installing fans and shade structures for lifeguards at outdoor pools and having paramedics provide wellness checks to high "priority locations." 

More than 100 additional shelter spaces across Toronto will also be activated through the Alternative Space Program, the city says. 

The following air-conditioned civic buildings will also be open to the public on extended hours:  

• North York Civic Centre . 
• Scarborough Civic Centre 
• Etobicoke Civic Centre
• York Civic Centre
• East York Civic Centre 
• Metro Hall

The city is asking Torontonians to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure and plan or reschedule outdoor activities to cooler hours like early morning or evening. For more information and tips, visit the city's website.