Sweltering temperatures not seen in Toronto in nearly a decade have prompted health alerts, pool closures, and warnings to students to expect “uncomfortable conditions.”
The extreme heat affecting parts of the northeast United States has also settled over Toronto and parts of eastern Canada for the third consecutive day, driving many Canadians indoors to seek air-conditioned relief.
The heat led to the temporary closure of some public pools due to local regulations that deemed it too hot for lifeguards to work, causing frustration among residents.
On Monday, temperatures in Toronto reached 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit), marking the hottest day since July 13, 2016, according to Environment Canada.
The oppressive heat persisted into Tuesday, with Toronto recording an afternoon temperature of nearly 36 degrees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit). High humidity levels exacerbated the discomfort.
Steven Flisfeder, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, noted that high humidity makes it significantly more difficult for the body to regulate its temperature.
In response to the extreme weather, Toronto officials issued health warnings advising residents to stay in cool spaces, stay hydrated, and be aware of signs of heat exhaustion, such as nausea and extreme fatigue.
Forecasters predict a slight easing of the heat on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to drop to more typical late June levels in Toronto and surrounding areas.
The sporadic closures of public pools in Toronto led to public outcry from residents eager for relief. Mayor Olivia Chow addressed the situation, stating that labor safety regulations were responsible for the shutdowns and apologized for the inconvenience.
“This cannot happen again,” Ms. Chow said. “When it’s hot outside, residents need to be able to get out to the pools and cool down.”
To prevent future occurrences, the city is considering increasing the number of lifeguards and providing more shaded areas for them.
The Toronto District School Board has sent an advisory to parents, asking them to prepare students for “uncomfortable conditions” as the school year concludes on Friday. Only 177 of the district’s 579 schools, or about 30 percent, are equipped with air conditioning.
According to the national census agency, approximately two-thirds of Canadian homes have air conditioning, compared to about 90 percent of homes in the United States.
Other cities across southern Ontario and Quebec, including Ottawa and Montreal, are experiencing similar heat and humidity levels.