Latest news with #AnthonyFarnell
Global News
6 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Struggling with the heat? It's not just you as summer days above 30 C spike
Parts of Canada are starting to exit the latest crushing heat wave of the summer. And if this summer has felt particularly brutal for you, you're not alone — data shows multiple cities across Canada have already surpassed their normal number of days above 30 C. Halifax, Toronto and Montreal are among those that have seen more days above that threshold than they normally do, while roughly 51 daily heat records were broken across the country on Monday as temperatures in many regions soared into the mid-30s C, according to Environment Canada. Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell says multiple heat waves and long-lasting ones is becoming a new normal. 'We've always had heat waves, that's nothing new; it's the duration,' he said. 'The fact that it's not just a two- to four-day stretch of hot weather, it is lasting longer than typical and that leads to more drought and it can sometimes lead to extremes like we're seeing now across the East.' Story continues below advertisement In Halifax, for example, there have been seven days so far this summer where the temperature has surpassed 30 C. It might not seem like much, but Farnell said it's higher than the five seen last year, and above the normal number of days above 30 C, which is about three. Ontario and Quebec have seen many more. 2:15 Health Matters: Heat wave continues in Eastern Canada As of Tuesday, Toronto has seen 22 days since June 1 where the temperature was above 30 C. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The normal number for the city is about 17, but last year it only saw 10 days. In an average summer, Montreal would normally see about 11 days above 30 C and last year it saw 12, but this year, Farnell said the city has already had 20 days. Story continues below advertisement 'We still have several weeks of warmth left, so it just really is a variable that alternates year to year, but it's above normal this year in Toronto and for many cities across the country,' he said. In Ontario, 10 heat records were broken or tied in places like Algonquin Park, Goderich, Parry Sound and Bancroft. The Maritimes also saw records broken, with Mirimichi, N.B., breaking a temperature record that has stood for more than 150 years by hitting 37.6 C on Monday. La Scie, N.L., set a new monthly high of 31.5 C, breaking the 31 C record set on Aug. 7, 1990. All that heat has also led to drought conditions in many locations. Agriculture Canada reported that fully 71 per cent of the country was classified as abnormally dry or being in a moderate to extreme drought by the end of July. St. John's, N.L., typically sees a normal precipitation of 230 millimetres, but since June 1 has only had about 101 mm, while downtown Toronto has seen 80 mm instead of the normal 185 mm. Toronto's rain is also a large decrease from the higher amount of rain seen last year, when it hit about 340 mm. Farnell said these cities, as well as Halifax, are running under 50 per cent of their normal rainfall since the start of summer, which, coupled with drought conditions, leads to a high risk of fires. Story continues below advertisement The latest figures posted by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre suggest wildfires have torn through 72,000 square kilometres, making it the second-worst season on record. Yet not every city has faced high heat and low rain. Farnell noted that Calgary has actually seen higher amounts of rainfall, with 314 mm having fallen since June 1, compared with its normal 193 mm. The city also has seen a slightly higher number than the normal five days of 30-plus temperatures with eight so far, but it's still below the 15 seen last year. Environment Canada told The Canadian Press in an interview that British Columbia and the Prairies are expected to see some rainfall this week as the heat wave facing parts of the country lifts, while some rain will also fall on the Maritimes toward the end of the week. Farnell says that while rain is welcome, it will need to be more than a short shower for there to be an impact. 'Sometimes you can get a thunderstorm in a quick 20 to 30 millimetres, but it happens in less than an hour and most of that just runs off and it doesn't get absorbed into the ground,' Farnell said. More heat could be coming as summer still has a few weeks left, but Farnell says the weather pattern facing Canada is 'turning cooler,' meaning wetter weather could soon be on the way. Story continues below advertisement — with files from The Canadian Press
Yahoo
12-08-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will weather help Canada's wildfire fight anytime soon?
Extreme heat and dry conditions are fuelling hundreds of wildfires across Canada. Anthony Farnell explains where heat warnings are in place, and when there could be some relief in the forecast.
Global News
08-08-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Southern Ontario set to bake under another heat wave, humidex to go over 40 C
Southern Ontario is set to sizzle under another heat warning over the weekend, with temperatures hitting the low 40s when humidity is taken into account. A fresh warning issued by Environment Canada on Friday afternoon predicts temperatures will begin to rise on Saturday and remain high until the middle of next week. The climate agency said daytime highs will be between 30 and 33C, feeling like 35 to 40 C on the humidex. Overnight lows won't drop below 19 and 23 C. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Global News Chief Meteorologist Anthony Farnell said the heat the weather won't quite reach the suffocating heights felt at the start of summer. 'The heat won't be as extreme as what we saw in late June or early July, but the duration of this event will make this event memorable and dangerous for some people,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'Temperatures will remain above 20 degrees at night and during the day they will soar into the low 30s, but the humidex will top 40 for at least the next four days.' The wildfire smoke, which has hung over Toronto and other parts of southern Ontario for almost the entire week, will also begin to move on as the heat sets in. 'Air quality is starting to improve across southern Ontario and a southerly wind pushes the wildfire smoke back to the north,' Farnell said. 'These same winds will transport in very humid and hot air this weekend and the heat wave will last through at least the first half of next week.' As part of its warning, Environment Canada reminded people to watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and thirst.
Global News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Extreme heat can turn dangerous fast. Who is most vulnerable?
Doctors and health-care experts are warning Canadians to not only look after themselves but also check on others who could be vulnerable as large parts of central Canada face a sweltering heat wave. Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell says a large heat ridge or dome will build over the Ohio Valley in the U.S. and expand into southeastern Canada by the end of the weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-30s C and the humidex could make that feel much higher, with humidex readings potentially into the mid-40s. When heat hits those levels, the body has to work harder to keep itself cool. 'The hypothalamus acts as the thermostat and sends signals to the heart to start beating faster, sends signals to our body to breathe a little faster and that helps the blood flow to the extremities so that we can dissipate heat through radiant heat loss,' said Dr. Samantha Green, a family physician at Unity Health Toronto with expertise in climate change and health. Story continues below advertisement 'It also sends signals so that we can cool down through evaporative cooling through sweating.' What does extreme heat do to your body? Prolonged exposure to heat can impact the human body in a variety of ways. One of the most common is heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is characterized by headache, dizziness, extreme thirst, heavy sweating, muscle cramps and nausea and vomiting, according to Health Canada, and people are advised to immediately move to a cool place and drink water if experiencing these symptoms. If left untreated, that exhaustion can become heat stroke, which is defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine as the body being overwhelmed by excessive heat. Those suffering from heat stroke often have an internal temperature of 40 C or higher, warm, dry skin, confusion and nausea, and it can lead to worse conditions, including seizures, coma and even death. Story continues below advertisement While people will keep an eye on the temperature, studies show that people should also be aware of the 'wet bulb' temperature — when both humidity and air temperatures are high, it can be harder to shed heat and keep yourself cool. A 2010 study found that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 C that lasts longer than six hours could cause serious health impacts or even death. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 2022 found that at 100 per cent humidity, the threshold could be as low as 31 C, while at 38 C, just 60 per cent humidity could be too much for the body. 4:47 Summer can be a dangerous time for our furry friends If you are suffering from heat stroke or you notice someone with similar symptoms, move to a cool place to rest and call 911, as it is a life-threatening medical emergency. Story continues below advertisement 'If you don't feel well from the heat, seek medical attention or call 911. Don't be afraid to ask for help,' said Caroline Metz, managing director of climate resilience and health at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo. Vulnerable populations, such as youth and older adults or those with chronic conditions, may find it more difficult to beat the heat. Who's most at risk? Nemours Children's Health in the U.S. notes that children's bodies are still developing and may sweat at a lower rate than adults and start sweating at a higher temperature, putting them more at risk of heat-related illness. Older adults face higher risks as they may have trouble accessing cool spaces due to mobility or transportation challenges, and those living alone may be more vulnerable as a result, according to B.C. Interior Health. Story continues below advertisement Older adults, as well as other Canadians, may also have chronic underlying health conditions or be taking medication that could interfere with the body's ability to stay cool. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that those with these conditions may be less likely to respond to changes in temperature, and that those with heart disease, mental illness and obesity have a higher risk of heat-related illness. 4:08 Summer heat can be dangerous for seniors 'It's also why people with chronic health conditions are more at risk of developing heat exhaustion, heat stroke, where the body's natural cooling mechanisms break down and the core body temperature exceeds 40 degrees,' Green said. 'That's where we end up with massive inflammation and failure of organs in the body.' People taking chronic medications can also be affected. Green said beta blockers, for example, prevent the heart from beating faster in response to heat and keep the body from naturally being able to cool down. Story continues below advertisement It's not just health conditions or age that can pose vulnerabilities, however. 'Anybody who's working outside or people experiencing homelessness, they're more exposed to heat and that's a group or a population that's more at risk,' Metz said. How to protect yourself and others Metz notes that during heat waves, it's important for people to watch out for others and check in on neighbours because those living alone or socially isolated can also be vulnerable to heat. A B.C. coroner's report following the 2023 heat dome noted that 98 per cent of the 619 deaths identified as being related to heat occurred indoors, with 56 per cent of those who died living alone. 'Social cohesion or social connectedness has been shown to be a very important factor for resilience and for health during heat waves,' Metz said. Story continues below advertisement 'In fact, in some cultures where there are multi-generational families living together, it's just very natural for people to care about others … so they don't often experience the same kind of situation that we might have here in North America, where we have one generation living in a household. 'The ability to reach out, call someone, or stop by has been shown to greatly support health and well-being for people who are isolated.' She added that older adults and those living alone should reach out to other people to let them know they're on their own and are open to having someone check on them during periods of extreme weather. As a heat wave enters Ontario later this weekend, Metz said people should stay in the coolest part of their home if possible or go to a community cooling centre, wear lighter-coloured clothing if you have to go out, keep your doors and windows closed during the hottest parts of the day, and turn off items that may produce extra heat in your home. 'If you need to be out, you want to do that during the parts of the day that are the coolest,' she suggested, noting this means early mornings and late evenings.
Global News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Summer heat wave set to hit Ontario may bring temperatures not seen in years
Southern Ontario is set to get hit with a strong heat wave just in time for the official start of summer. Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell says a large heat ridge or dome will build over the Ohio Valley in the U.S. and expand into southeastern Canada by the end of the weekend. With the summer solstice, which occurs on Friday and is the longest day of the year for hours of sunlight, residents in southern Ontario will finally start to feel the true heat after a back-and-forth spring season. Temperatures are expected to soar into the low to mid 30s for at least three days in southern Ontario and two or more days in Quebec, Farnell said. The hottest day will be on Monday, when the high is forecasted to hit above 35 C in Toronto, and the humidex could briefly reach as high as 45 C. Story continues below advertisement 'This would be a record for the date and the hottest temperatures we've experienced in three years,' Farnell said. View image in full screen Monday snapshot across Ontario and Quebec. Global News But how long will the heat wave stay? Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Farnell says a cool front will slowly slide in from the south on Tuesday into Wednesday bringing an end to the extreme heat, and the chance of thunderstorms. He also said there is a risk of some 'very strong thunderstorms along the warm front as the heat and humidity sweeps in this weekend.' 'Computer models have not been able to show exactly where these storms will form or when but be on the lookout late Saturday into Sunday morning, especially across cottage country and eastern Ontario for quite the light show,' Farnell said. Story continues below advertisement However, Farnell did note that temperatures will still remain above seasonal up until Canada Day. 'The first heat wave of the year is always more dangerous because our bodies haven't yet adapted,' Farnell said. According to Environment Canada, Toronto is expected to see a high of 25 C on Friday for summer solstice, 28 C on Saturday, and temperatures will soar into the 30s for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
