As rising temperatures continue to seep through, health officials issued a heat alert for London and Middlesex County on Tuesday, which will be in effect until Wednesday.
Daytime temperatures are expected to reach a high of 36C, with humidex values of 36C, and a muggy overnight low of 20C, the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) said in a statement.
According to Environment Canada, temperatures on Monday were filled with sunshine with a high of 30 C and humidex values of 37 C, which MLHU says does not meet the threshold of issuing a heat alert.
“It’s certainly going to feel like the heatwave of summer with the heat and humidity,” said Dave Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada. “But it’s short-lived and that’s the good thing.”
Phillips said these temperatures won’t be unbearable or record-breaking, but the high humidex values can make the weather seem pretty muggy.
“We always get a little advance [of the heat] in May, maybe not as much as July or mid-August, but it’s kind of a reminder of what the next season is all about,” he said.
beating the heat
As the water pads returned to city parks over the Victoria Day long weekend, young Londoners can finally get back to keeping cool in the humidity. CBC News caught up with two London mothers who were with their little ones in Ed Blake Park on Monday afternoon.
Ashley Lester took her 17-month-old daughter, Lilly, out on a water platform for the first time. And while Lilly wasn’t too keen on being in the water, Lester is happy for her to be interacting with other kids after a long pandemic filled with restrictions.
“She’s learning to walk and enjoying the nice weather so far, so we thought it would be a good day to try out the splash pad, now that they’re open,” she said.
Seven-year-old Logan Sophon had been anxiously waiting to get to the park since Monday morning when he heard how hot the temperatures were going to be. He was waiting for four of his friends to join him.
“It’s really nice to be outside for once, we’ve all been really excited during COVID,” said her mother, Joanna. “Logan asked a bunch of his friends at school today, who said they’d be joining him, so they’re getting their bathing suits ready to go meet him.”
How to avoid heat-related illnesses
For Wednesday, the health unit says it expects rain and cooler temperatures in the area. Until then, MLHU recommends the following tips to avoid risks of heat-related illness:
- Drink plenty of water and natural juices throughout the day, even if you don’t feel very thirsty. Remember to sip often and not gulp down your drink.
- Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or sleeping outside in direct sunlight.
- Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, as well as coffee and colas.
- When possible, avoid spending too much time outdoors. If you must be outside, seek shade as much as possible. Plan outdoor activities early in the morning or at night.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.
- Keep the shades or shades down and the shades closed on the sunny side of your house.
- Avoid turning on electric lights in your home.
- Take a cold bath or shower periodically or cool off with cool, wet towels.
- Wear loose and light clothing.
- Avoid eating heavy meals and using your oven.
- Avoid intense or moderately intense physical activity.
- Use fans to draw in cool air at night, but don’t rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during extended periods of excessive heat.
- Reduce the use of personal vehicles, stop unnecessary idling; Avoid the use of oil-based paints and glues, pesticides, and small gasoline engines.
Reference-www.cbc.ca