Scorching temperatures reached a new high Tuesday as the City of Toronto broke previous heat records.

The temperature at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport hit 36C Tuesday afternoon, surpassing the 35.2C record high temperature set in 2011.

Environment Canada forecasted Tuesday’s high to hit 37C, prompting city officials to issue an extreme heat alert. Environment Canada also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the city, which could provide residents with some relief from the warmth and high humidity.

With the soaring heat expected to last into the evening, both the TTC and GO Transit slowed down their trains for the afternoon commute, as the high temperatures could cause the rails to expand and bow.

Toronto was already under a lower-level heat alert, but with the humidex values poised to hover around 44, acting Medical Officer of Health Barbara Yaffe upgraded the alert on Tuesday.

The extreme heat warning was the city’s eighth of this year.

Under an extreme heat alert, members of the public are encouraged to check on loved ones who may be more vulnerable to the heat, particularly young children and the elderly.

Yaffe has touted air-conditioned shopping malls, libraries and community centres as good locations for citizens to seek some reprieve from the heat.

The City of Toronto has also made the following cooling centres available:

  • Metro Hall – 55 John Street (Open 24 hours)
  • East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Avenue (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge Street (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Driftwood Community Centre – 4401 Jane Street (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Etobicoke Olympium – 590 Rathburn Road (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • McGregor Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Avenue East (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Centennial Park Community Centre – 1967 Ellesmere Road (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Water and snacks will be made available at the seven cooling centres.

Residents may see a break from the extreme heat late Tuesday afternoon.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for Toronto as a cold front approaches southern Ontario.

Environment Canada forecasted a 40 per cent chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms for Tuesday afternoon and evening and the agency warned that some storms can become severe, with hail, heavy rains and lightning.

Environment Canada meteorologists said there’s also a risk for an isolated tornado in eastern Ontario.

Temperatures are expected to hover in the high 20s and low 30s for the remainder of the week with mainly sunny skies in the forecast.