The start of the Canada Day long-weekend will be a hot one for parts of southwestern Ontario.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a two-day heat warning for areas including Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, Sarnia-Lambton, western Middlesex County, and West Elgin County.
Temperatures are expected to hit 33 C on Thursday, with the heat continuing into Canada Day Friday. The humidity will make conditions feel a bit steamier as humidex values will reach the mid to upper thirties. There won’t be much relief overnight either as temperatures will fall just slightly, to around 21 C.
“Hot and humid air can also bring deteriorating air quality and can result in the air quality health index approaching the high risk category,” a statement from Environment Canada read. “The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.”
If you plan to spend any time outdoors on Thursday or Friday, be sure to drink plenty of water, even before feeling thirsty, and layer on the sunscreen as the UV index is predicted to be at a 10, or very high.
Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn quickly. It is advised that you avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and seek shade, cover up, and wear a hat, sunglasses and reapply sunscreen every couple hours. Surfaces such as white sand and other bright surfaces can also reflect UV and increase UV exposure.
The heat event is expected to end Friday evening when temperatures drop into the mid-teens.
