You're sweating through the warmest June 6th in history - and there's a lot more where that came from. Toronto officially broke the all-time record for the date just after 2pm Friday when the thermometer climbed to a stifling 33C at Pearson International Airport.
That easily shatters the old mark of 31.6C set in 1999. And it's just the start of what those who enter the blast furnace of the great outdoors are facing over the next four days. A humidex advisory remains in effect from Windsor to Barrie with values soaring to a sweltering 40 in some places, making breathing an almost impossible task for those who have to be outside for any lengthy periods.
Asthma sufferers and those with respiratory troubles are being advised to take it easy and stay indoors.
We've been though this kind of heat before, of course, but this one may be harder on you than most. That's because the majority of those other summer-like scorchers came after a gradual build up that let your body get used to the hotter conditions. But we've just emerged from a wetter and cooler than normal spring, and none of us have had a chance to get acclimatized to mid-July temperatures in early June.
The result - it feels even hotter than it really is.
Although it really is hot.
And if you've forgotten since last summer, there are a lot of peripheral effects that go along with these kinds of overly sultry conditions. Ontario's hydro system is getting its first real test this weekend, as air conditioners that haven't been used since the last great heatwave on October 8, 2007 - 241 days ago - switch on en masse.
The Independent Electricity Market Operator estimates power hungry Ontarians will use 22,280 megawatts during the peak demand time around the dinner hour. That's far below the one day record of 27,000MW set back on August 1, 2006. But those demands will grow the longer the big broil lasts. And it's not expected to break until Tuesday.
Pollution levels are also expected to soar with the temperatures. Air quality in most of Toronto was in the moderate range by mid-afternoon. But that will also go up as the oven-like readings bake the pollution and prevent it from going anywhere.
There could also be a smog or heat alert called by the weekend.
Not that any of this bothers still winter-weary GTA residents one bit.Adam is lying on a cool green lawn in the shadow of Toronto City Hall. "Just enjoy the sunshine," he beams from behind dark sunglasses. "My first day in Toronto since it's been sunny."
And then there are those who were playing hooky from school and work in a kind of perfect storm of weather events - the first truly hot day coming on a Friday, 24 hours after the city's beaches officially opened.
The sands were filled with sun worshippers, volleyball players and tanners, taking advantage of it all while it lasts. And few were apologetic about their subterfuge.
"I called in sick ," admits a sales rep who for obvious reasons prefers to remain nameless. "I told them I wasn't feeling good. I ate something bad."
"I told them I had the flu, the 24-hour flu," another worker-shirker-turned-lurker reveals. Which may explain why he's sweating so much.
"We're supposed to be at school," a student shrugs, adding, "You can't stay inside during weather like this."
But at least one has a good excuse for avoiding class. "Getting a tan for prom," is the explanation.
About the only place to find relief was in the still chilly water - and only a few were brave enough (or hot enough) to take a dip.
"It's so cold, but it's very calming," shivers Jennifer Kim, who just came out of the depths. "It's very cool. I love it. I love it!" Will she go in again? "Um, if I get warm again," she laughs.
Somehow that doesn't seem like it will be a big problem.
But Shahrzed Nakhai sums it up best about his presence on the strand. "After so long, after it's been so cold, it's actually finally hot now and we're just, you know, working on our tans," she responds. "And working on a sand castle."
And on a day like this, it beats working on anything else.
Sunscreen and lots of fluids are a must in these kinds of conditions, but it's early in the heating season and few are really complaining.
The system bringing all this in made its presence known Thursday night, colliding with the cooler air and creating loud thunderstorms, drenching rain and bringing an awe-inspring lightning show to parts of the province (see the viewer photos below.) The steamy conditions will increase the chance of more violent weather over the next four days.
And you won't get much relief over the weekend. Highs on Saturday and Sunday could touch 31C and we'll still be under the broiler on Monday, with readings near 29C and a chance of rain all four days.
The norm for this time of year is about 23C.
It's enough to make some people who hate the swelter want to pull the covers over their heads and sleep through it all. But that won't be easy, either. Temperatures overnight won't fall past the 20C mark any of the four days and it could be hard for those without air conditioning to get much rest.
And commuters heading up to cottage country aren't going to find much relief this weekend, either. Not only will the high heat follow them, but reports indicate it's been a record breaking season for black flies. They've benefited from the heavy snowfall of the winter and higher than normal spring water levels that have allowed them to breed and bite in large numbers.
Things won't be back to normal anywhere until Tuesday, when a cool off will create yet another weather extreme and a high of only 20C.
But at least your hair will look a lot better by then.
The extreme temperatures are expected to return later on next week.
Gov't. guidelines about working in extreme heat
What do the humidex readings mean?
Less than 29: No discomfort
30 to 39: Some discomfort
40 to 45: Great discomfort; avoid exertion
Above 45: Dangerous
Above 54: Heat stroke imminent
No comments:
Post a Comment