Grab water and sunscreen as hot, sunny days expected in Waterloo region this week
CBC
Summer may not officially arrive until Friday, but it's going to feel like it's the middle of the hottest season this week as temperatures are set to rise to 30 C and higher in Waterloo region and area.
The Environment Canada forecast is calling for a mix of sun and cloud for much of this week and temperatures up to 32 C, but feeling much hotter with the humidex.
"We have a hot and humid air mass that will be settling into the area, a very big area, all of southern Ontario including Kitchener-Waterloo," meteorologist Gerald Cheng said in an interview.
He noted hot and humid can also mean unsettled weather is possible over the course of the week.
"We have to watch for the possibility of severe weather and with severe weather, when we talk about thunderstorms, they can really change from day-to-day forecast. Yesterday might be changing today because of new data. So we have to monitor the situation," he said.
Along with the hot, humid weather, people also need to consider the UV index and ensure they're wearing sunscreen to protect themselves.
The Region of Waterloo will issue a heat warning when:
The region lists places people can go to cool off, including municipal buildings, libraries, sports complexes and community centres during regular operating hours.
Public health warns extreme heat can affect anyone, but in particular people at higher risk include:
It's recommended people wear light, loose-fitting clothing, get out of the sunlight and into shade and drink plenty of cool liquids to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Exposure to extreme heat and humidity can cause:
The region also notes people and pets should never be left inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight and people should check on vulnerable neighbours, friends and family members if they can.
Cheng says there will be people who love this week's weather and people who will dread it, but he says the best thing to do is have a sunny outlook on it and plan ahead by taking water, sunscreen and staying out of the sun at its peak during the day.
"I know that we like to complain about the weather, but because we can't choose what the weather is going to be, we might as well enjoy it," he said.
An ongoing debate in the House of Commons could push some government departments into a cash crunch and run up against other deadlines as the end of the fall sitting approaches.
Celebrity chef Vikram Vij is partnering with a Toronto charity to help raise funds for cash-strapped food banks.
The federal government did not meet the targets for its program to plant two billion trees during the program's third planting season.
Governments in Canada, the U.S. and abroad along with tech giants are all eyeing nuclear power to meet a growing demand for electricity and climate goals at the same time.
Allison McCabe's own story of medical dismissal began last August with a trip to an emergency room in Vancouver.
The leader of Canada's Green Party had some strong words for Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservatives while joining her provincial counterpart on the campaign trail. Elizabeth May was in Halifax Saturday to support the Nova Scotia Green Party in the final days of the provincial election campaign. She criticized PC Leader Tim Houston for calling a snap election this fall after the Tories passed legislation in 2021 that gave Nova Scotia fixed election dates every four years.
Manitoba business owners are gearing up for a temporary federal tax break this holiday season, and while some welcome it, others worry about its timing and the amount of work it will require.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly trying to set a fire outside Vancouver City Hall late Friday night, police say.
Calgary city council reversed its decision to close the Inglewood Aquatic Centre Friday.
The Vancouver Police Board says its vice-chair has resigned following statements she posted to social media that were inconsistent with its code of conduct.
Hundreds of people showed up outside Queens Park Saturday afternoon to push back against the Ford government's controversial bike lane bill that would remove certain Toronto bike lanes to help address congestion.