Heat warnings expanded across the Maritimes, first named storm for hurricane season possible by Wednesday

Environment Canada has placed the entirety of the Maritimes under heat warnings as of Tuesday afternoon.

Environment Canada has placed the entirety of the Maritimes under heat warnings as of Tuesday afternoon.

The criteria for a heat warning is slightly different for each Maritimes province but require two consecutive days and nights of hot temperatures, high humidex and warm nights.

The warnings call for widespread humidex values making it feel well into the 30s and in some cases 40s for the Maritimes. The warnings note that some coastal areas will experience more moderate temperatures.

The weather agency goes on to recommend to “Drink plenty of water regularly, even before you feel thirsty, to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration. Watch for early signs of heat illness - feeling unwell, fatigue, thirst, headache - all these can rapidly evolve into life-threatening emergencies. Move to a cooler environment immediately, such as a shaded or air-conditioned space.”

Parts of the Maritimes are experiencing the first of some unseasonably hot and humid weather Tuesday. High temperatures for much of New Brunswick and interior areas of the southwest of Nova Scotia are expected to reach temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s.

Humidex values, or what it feels like with both heat and humidity, are expected in the mid-to-high 30s.