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Global News
3 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
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
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.
Global News
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Air quality watches, statements issued for a large portion of Ontario
With wildfire smoke looming over Ontario, Environment Canada has issued air quality watches and statements for a large portion of the province. The statements run from Sarnia and London north into Fort Albany and include Moosonee, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, and vary depending on location. London and Sarnia are expected to be dealing with wildfire smoke throughout Thursday. Conditions are expected to improve overnight but could continue into Friday, according to Environment Canada. Farther north, the conditions are expected to last for several days, with the agency warning that 'as smoke levels increase, health risks increase.' The watches, which are considered more serious, extend from Attawapiskat west into Saskatchewan as well as from Kirkland Lake north into the northeastern portion of Quebec. Story continues below advertisement 1:55 How researchers are detecting wildfires with high-tech tools Environment Canada warned that 'during heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status.' 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 In both cases, it says to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor events or activities. 'You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,' the federal agency said, before warning people to seek medical treatment in cases of emergency. Some of the smoke is coming from wildfires burning in northern Ontario, Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said Tuesday as hazy skies were present over much of southern Ontario. He said the rain the southern portion of the province was seeing Wednesday night and Thursday would clear the air. Story continues below advertisement 'The air will temporarily clear out with rain Wednesday night into Thursday, but smoke will likely be back by the weekend. Smoke will be a frequent occurrence depending on which way the winds blow until a soaking rain falls out west, and that's still at least several days away,' Farnell said.
Global News
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Smoke from western wildfires to blame for hazy southern Ontario skies
In northern Ontario, air quality warnings have been issued by Environment Canada in connection to forest fires, but the southern part of the province is also being impacted. Upper-level smoke from wildfires out west are making for hazy skies over southern Ontario, according to Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell. 'The smoke here is mostly from fires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba but there is also some fire smoke from northwestern Ontario in there as well,' he explained Tuesday morning, noting that it is also keeping a lid on warmer weather. 'Today it's at its thickest higher up in the atmosphere which is leading to these hazy skies and will likely affect the temperature today, keeping it a degree or so cooler than if we didn't have any smoke.' 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 The issue is expected to partially clear up on Wednesday ,although that will not last for long. Story continues below advertisement 'Tomorrow ahead of a cold front, air quality will start to deteriorate as some of the lower level particulates move in from those same fires,' Farnell said. 'The air will temporarily clear out with rain Wednesday night into Thursday, but smoke will likely be back by the weekend. Smoke will be a frequent occurrence depending on which was the winds blow until a soaking rain falls out west, and that's still at least several days away.' This could be an ongoing issue throughout the summer as Farnell's summer forecast calls for hot, dry weather for the Prairies throughout the summer months. Out in Saskatchewan, there are currently 18 fires actively burning. The province has already seen 219 fires already this year, a number which is well above the fire-year average of 131. It is estimated that more than 8,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as a result of the ongoing fires. It is a similar situation in Manitoba, as more than 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since last week, including 5,000 residents of Flin Flon, which is near the border with Saskatchewan. The province say rain on Monday was not enough to stop the 25 wildfires that were reported to be burning in the province on Sunday. Story continues below advertisement — With files from Global News and the Canadian Press
