The summer of sweat continues into August with sweltering temperatures expected in Toronto on the first day of the month.
With a predicted high of 33 degrees Celsius, a UV index of 9 or very high and the humidex making it feel like 35 C, the City of Toronto issued a heat alert on Monday morning.
By 10 a.m. the temperature was already sitting at 28 C.
Toronto's medical officer of health, Dr. David McKeown, advises residents to check on at-risk friends and family members during a heat alert and make sure to stay cool.
Ways to beat the heat:
- Drink lots of water or natural fruit juices
- Go to air conditioned places
- Wear loose fitting, light coloured clothing
- Stay out of the sun
- Reduce strenuous activity outdoors, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Never leave the elderly, children or pets unattended in a car
People with chronic and pre-existing illnesses, infants and young children, people on certain medications and those who are marginally housed or homeless are most at risk during a heat wave.
So far this summer, Toronto has seen four heat alerts and one extreme heat alert.
On July 20, the daily temperature record was broken when the mercury rose to 38 C with a humidex of 48 C.
The highest overall temperature in Toronto was recorded in 1936, when the mercury hit a high of 40.6 C for three consecutive days.
