First heat wave of 'torrid summer' to hit Eastern Canada next week
The first heat wave of Summer 2025 is about to hit Eastern Canada, with temperatures climbing to the mid-30s early next week. Add the humidity from a wet spring and it will feel even hotter.
We'd better get used to it, as it is signalling 'a torrid summer ahead,' says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
'We rarely go a year without a heat wave,' he says, 'but this will be the first one and people have to learn how to deal with it again.'
The high pressure system will settle over southern and eastern Ontario as well as southern Quebec. It will edge into southeastern Manitoba on one side and western New Brunswick on the other.
Contrasting this spate of heat with the renown 'polar vortex' of winter, Phillips refers to this phenomenon as a 'Bermuda High.' That's a semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure, which usually migrates east-west, back and forth across the North Atlantic, influencing weather patterns. Except this one is further west and further north than usual, says Phillips.
'It circulates southern air further north.'
There's no doubt it will feel oppressive, says Phillips, adding that a heat dome squeezes air molecules, pressing them downward, creating heat from the friction.
Moisture from a particularly wet spring will compound with the heat. There has been 30 to 40 per cent more precipitation than normal this year, he says.
During the day the humidity may make it feel like 40 degrees Celsius or more.
Another factor in the mix is the sunshine. Long summer days 'prevent the cool-off,' he says. At night, it will feel tropical, with temperatures above 20 C.
The Maritimes won't get the extreme heat, but temperatures will rise, particularly in western New Brunswick.
Western Canada has been experiencing heat already, with many hot, dry days (made worse by wildfire smoke), he says. But, he adds, in eastern Canada, people have been asking when the warmth is going to arrive.
Normally, Eastern Canada would have several days in the 30s by now, says Phillips, but there were none in May and only one in June. Contrast that with Winnipeg, which he says has had nine or 10.
'In eastern Canada, people have felt left out, on the sidelines.'
But now summer heat is arriving with a vengeance. It will be a three-day event with temperatures rising to the mid-30s in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, accompanied by nighttime temperatures in the 21-23 C range, with the humidex in the low to mid 40s. 'That's eight or nine degrees warmer than normal.'
Ultimately, it seems we had better get used to this. All the weather-mapping models from Canada, the U.S. and Europe are predicting increasingly hot summers, says Phillips.
'This will be the first heat wave, but it's not going to be the last. We're going to see repetition throughout the summer.'
He cautions that publicized high temperatures are measured in the shade. As a result, 'going out into the sun could add another seven to 10 degrees to the body. It's a lot of stress on the body. Too much.'
It results in increased hospital admissions, he notes. 'People may not be dying in the streets but there is increased respiratory and cardiovascular distress.'
The Canadian Red Cross urges people to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the hottest period of the day. Drink plenty of cool fluids — even if you're not thirsty. And avoid alcohol and caffeine, as both can result in dehydration.
Check regularly with the children and seniors in your life to ensure they are drinking enough water.
Finally, says the Red Cross, be aware of the following signs of heat illness: dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting; headache; rapid breathing or heartbeat; extreme thirst; dark yellow urine; muscle cramps, especially in arms, legs, or stomach.
Climate change made record-breaking Eastern Canada heat wave 'much more likely'
Summer heatwave begins in one of world's hottest cities
Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
How to stay cool in the heat wave hitting parts of the US --even without air conditioning
The first big heat wave of 2025 has arrived, coinciding with the official start of summer. More than 40 million people in the U.S. were under heat alerts Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures in the Midwest are expected to crest well into the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius) this weekend. Triple-digit highs could pop up in New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Denver. The peak will likely hit the East Coast early next week. Climate change has been exacerbating heat waves, and the problem isn't going away any time soon. An increasingly hot planet — due largely to burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas — means already hot regions are getting worse. Heat doesn't just mean canceled events. It also poses a health risk, especially for children, older people and those with certain health conditions. So here are some tips to stay safe. When does heat become dangerous? The answer depends on more than the temperature. The most detailed measurement is called the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), which includes temperature, humidity, cloud cover and wind. The heat index, which measures temperature and humidity, is less descriptive but easier to find on weather apps. Both explain why a shaded soccer field on a 90 degree F day (32 degree C) in arid Phoenix may be less risky than an exposed park on an 80 degree F (27 degree C) day in soupy Little Rock. Just based on heat index, NOAA has a chart that calculates how dangerous prolonged exposure can be. For example, a day where temperatures reach 96 degree F (36 degrees C) and 45% humidity would fall into the 'danger' category for prolonged exposure or strenuous activity. The WBGT threshold isn't exact, but recent research suggests that even some young, healthy people can't endure hours of exposure to high heat and humidity. How to cool down Overnight lows can be a particularly dangerous part of a heat wave, said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University. 'Your body needs a reprieve,' she said. 'You don't get that overnight, we start the next day at a deficit.' Heat can worsen labor productivity and lead to more visits to the emergency room. 'When we have overnight temperatures that don't drop below 75 degrees" F (24 degrees C), she said, 'You start to see some pretty extraordinary outcomes with respect to heat illness and heat stroke, and even mortality.' Ward's answer: Find air conditioning. That might be at home, but she said census data overcounts how many people have access. If you can't afford to cool the whole house, Ward said, create a 'cool corner" and sleep there, so your body is prepared to tackle the next day. Evaporative or 'swamp' coolers can help in dry heat, but they increase humidity and can make it more difficult to cool down. In humid places, just use a fan. If you don't have air conditioning, find public places that do, including movie theaters, malls and libraries. Some communities set up cooling centers. Depending on where you live, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program can help you buy a window air conditioning unit, according to the National Council on Aging. Some local nonprofits and civic organizations can also help you access one if cost is a burden. Know your rights if you work outside Knowing what workplace protections you have is important. But there are no federal heat rules to protect workers in the United States. Some states have them, including Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Colorado, Minnesota and Maryland, according to the National Resources Defense Council. Other states don't have any. If your state has work rules, try to learn them — though there are still challenges to ensuring regulations are actually enforced, said Bharat Venkat, director of the University of California, Los Angeles Heat Lab. He notes that sometimes shaded areas are too far for workers to take breaks without losing wages, or that management can make it impossible for workers to advocate for themselves. 'Most workers don't actually have control over their time or control over where they work," he said. Within those constraints, finding ways to stay hydrated and lower your body temperature are paramount. You can do this by drinking lots of fluids, wetting clothing or putting cold water or a cold rag on your hands, feet, armpits and neck. A portable handheld fan or a cooling vest can also help. If you're exercising, avoid the hottest times of day and bring more water than you think you need. Knowing heat illness symptoms Heat illness symptoms can vary by person, Venkat said. Medications or underlying conditions can also make it harder to regulate body temperature or notice you're getting too hot. Early trouble signs include heavy sweating, muscle cramps and headache. That's when you stop what you're doing and cool yourself off — for example, by splashing yourself with cold water or finding an air conditioned space. As heat exhaustion sets in, new symptoms arrive, including faster heart rate and dizziness. Next comes heat stroke, which can include confusion, slurred words and fainting. Ward said that's when to call 911. 'Don't be embarrassed to call 911 or go to urgent care when you think you might have overdone it in the heat,' he said. ___ ___
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
First heat wave of 'torrid summer' to hit Eastern Canada next week
The first heat wave of Summer 2025 is about to hit Eastern Canada, with temperatures climbing to the mid-30s early next week. Add the humidity from a wet spring and it will feel even hotter. We'd better get used to it, as it is signalling 'a torrid summer ahead,' says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. 'We rarely go a year without a heat wave,' he says, 'but this will be the first one and people have to learn how to deal with it again.' The high pressure system will settle over southern and eastern Ontario as well as southern Quebec. It will edge into southeastern Manitoba on one side and western New Brunswick on the other. Contrasting this spate of heat with the renown 'polar vortex' of winter, Phillips refers to this phenomenon as a 'Bermuda High.' That's a semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure, which usually migrates east-west, back and forth across the North Atlantic, influencing weather patterns. Except this one is further west and further north than usual, says Phillips. 'It circulates southern air further north.' There's no doubt it will feel oppressive, says Phillips, adding that a heat dome squeezes air molecules, pressing them downward, creating heat from the friction. Moisture from a particularly wet spring will compound with the heat. There has been 30 to 40 per cent more precipitation than normal this year, he says. During the day the humidity may make it feel like 40 degrees Celsius or more. Another factor in the mix is the sunshine. Long summer days 'prevent the cool-off,' he says. At night, it will feel tropical, with temperatures above 20 C. The Maritimes won't get the extreme heat, but temperatures will rise, particularly in western New Brunswick. Western Canada has been experiencing heat already, with many hot, dry days (made worse by wildfire smoke), he says. But, he adds, in eastern Canada, people have been asking when the warmth is going to arrive. Normally, Eastern Canada would have several days in the 30s by now, says Phillips, but there were none in May and only one in June. Contrast that with Winnipeg, which he says has had nine or 10. 'In eastern Canada, people have felt left out, on the sidelines.' But now summer heat is arriving with a vengeance. It will be a three-day event with temperatures rising to the mid-30s in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, accompanied by nighttime temperatures in the 21-23 C range, with the humidex in the low to mid 40s. 'That's eight or nine degrees warmer than normal.' Ultimately, it seems we had better get used to this. All the weather-mapping models from Canada, the U.S. and Europe are predicting increasingly hot summers, says Phillips. 'This will be the first heat wave, but it's not going to be the last. We're going to see repetition throughout the summer.' He cautions that publicized high temperatures are measured in the shade. As a result, 'going out into the sun could add another seven to 10 degrees to the body. It's a lot of stress on the body. Too much.' It results in increased hospital admissions, he notes. 'People may not be dying in the streets but there is increased respiratory and cardiovascular distress.' The Canadian Red Cross urges people to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the hottest period of the day. Drink plenty of cool fluids — even if you're not thirsty. And avoid alcohol and caffeine, as both can result in dehydration. Check regularly with the children and seniors in your life to ensure they are drinking enough water. Finally, says the Red Cross, be aware of the following signs of heat illness: dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting; headache; rapid breathing or heartbeat; extreme thirst; dark yellow urine; muscle cramps, especially in arms, legs, or stomach. Climate change made record-breaking Eastern Canada heat wave 'much more likely' Summer heatwave begins in one of world's hottest cities Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
First heat wave of 'torrid summer' to hit Eastern Canada next week
The first heat wave of Summer 2025 is about to hit Eastern Canada, with temperatures climbing to the mid-30s early next week. Add the humidity from a wet spring and it will feel even hotter. We'd better get used to it, as it is signalling 'a torrid summer ahead,' says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. 'We rarely go a year without a heat wave,' he says, 'but this will be the first one and people have to learn how to deal with it again.' The high pressure system will settle over southern and eastern Ontario as well as southern Quebec. It will edge into southeastern Manitoba on one side and western New Brunswick on the other. Contrasting this spate of heat with the renown 'polar vortex' of winter, Phillips refers to this phenomenon as a 'Bermuda High.' That's a semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure, which usually migrates east-west, back and forth across the North Atlantic, influencing weather patterns. Except this one is further west and further north than usual, says Phillips. 'It circulates southern air further north.' There's no doubt it will feel oppressive, says Phillips, adding that a heat dome squeezes air molecules, pressing them downward, creating heat from the friction. Moisture from a particularly wet spring will compound with the heat. There has been 30 to 40 per cent more precipitation than normal this year, he says. During the day the humidity may make it feel like 40 degrees Celsius or more. Another factor in the mix is the sunshine. Long summer days 'prevent the cool-off,' he says. At night, it will feel tropical, with temperatures above 20 C. The Maritimes won't get the extreme heat, but temperatures will rise, particularly in western New Brunswick. Western Canada has been experiencing heat already, with many hot, dry days (made worse by wildfire smoke), he says. But, he adds, in eastern Canada, people have been asking when the warmth is going to arrive. Normally, Eastern Canada would have several days in the 30s by now, says Phillips, but there were none in May and only one in June. Contrast that with Winnipeg, which he says has had nine or 10. 'In eastern Canada, people have felt left out, on the sidelines.' But now summer heat is arriving with a vengeance. It will be a three-day event with temperatures rising to the mid-30s in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, accompanied by nighttime temperatures in the 21-23 C range, with the humidex in the low to mid 40s. 'That's eight or nine degrees warmer than normal.' Ultimately, it seems we had better get used to this. All the weather-mapping models from Canada, the U.S. and Europe are predicting increasingly hot summers, says Phillips. 'This will be the first heat wave, but it's not going to be the last. We're going to see repetition throughout the summer.' He cautions that publicized high temperatures are measured in the shade. As a result, 'going out into the sun could add another seven to 10 degrees to the body. It's a lot of stress on the body. Too much.' It results in increased hospital admissions, he notes. 'People may not be dying in the streets but there is increased respiratory and cardiovascular distress.' The Canadian Red Cross urges people to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the hottest period of the day. Drink plenty of cool fluids — even if you're not thirsty. And avoid alcohol and caffeine, as both can result in dehydration. Check regularly with the children and seniors in your life to ensure they are drinking enough water. Finally, says the Red Cross, be aware of the following signs of heat illness: dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting; headache; rapid breathing or heartbeat; extreme thirst; dark yellow urine; muscle cramps, especially in arms, legs, or stomach. Climate change made record-breaking Eastern Canada heat wave 'much more likely' Summer heatwave begins in one of world's hottest cities Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
