Punishing temperatures return to Central Canada during record-breaking heat wave

A heat wave over Ontario and Quebec was set to deliver a parting punch of scorching temperatures on Tuesday, forecasters said, as hydro crews worked to restore power to tens of thousands of customers in areas hit by forceful thunderstorms.

Tuesday was expected to be the last day of the high heat and humidity for the vast majority of Ontario and Quebec, said Environment Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder. 

Across southern Ontario and Quebec, forecasters called for temperatures in the low to mid 30s. The humidity was expected to make it feel closer to the low 40s.

The coming days were still expected to see temperatures in the high 20s with a "a fair amount of humidity," Flisfeder said. 

Any relief was expected to be short-lived with more 30-degree days in the forecast starting Friday for parts of southwestern Ontario.

"It may seem like a double slap in the face to some people, especially those who are more susceptible" to heat, said Flisfeder. 

Heat warnings remained in place Tuesday from Windsor through to Quebec City after days of record-breaking temperatures. 

Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal were among the cities to set new June 23 daily temperature records, said Environment Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder. 

"It's almost too many to list off," he said.

As the high-pressure system moved east, heat warnings were extended on Tuesday to the southern part of Nova Scotia, where they were expected to remain in place through Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms rolled through areas along the edges of the heat-trapping high-pressure system. Power was out to more than 38,000 customers in and around Quebec City as of 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday after storms hit the area, according to updates posted by Hydro-Quebec.  

Hydro One, Ontario's provincial utility, was still working to restore power to more than 2,500 customers in central and eastern Ontario after weekend thunderstorms. 

The extreme heat and power-disrupting thunderstorms can make for a dangerous combination, said Flisfeder. 

"We tend to tell people to get inside where there's AC available. Having no power, that obviously reduces the availability of that cooling and refuge from the heat and dangerous conditions," he said. 

'It certainly is a concern." 

Forecasters warn extreme heat this early in the season can be particularly alarming since people are not acclimatized to the high heat and humidex values, which are well above normal. 

The temperatures are about 10 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. 

"It is very unseasonably warm, and the humidity just makes it even more uncomfortable," said Flisfeder. 

Studies indicate that climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is increasing the length and intensity of Canadian heat waves. 

Toronto's transit agency said it had implemented a few speed reduction measures along above-ground areas of its subway lines to avoid heat-related track issues. On the streetcar network, some issues had been reported with overheard wires due to excessive heat, but disruptions were temporary, said a spokesperson with the Toronto Transit Commission. 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld