Heat advisories for much of Ontario with temperatures nearing 30 degrees

Much of Ontario sweltered under heat advisories on Tuesday, prompting some residents to head to public pools while others sought cooler spots indoors.

Environment Canada issued warnings for a stretch of the province from Prescott and Russell in the east to Windsor in the southwest, with temperatures reaching 30C and higher in several places. The weather agency said parts of southern Ontario could see the heat persist for up to five days.

In Sunnyside Beach, west of Toronto, Sonia Gemmiti dipped her toes in a nearby kiddie pool, saying that while she normally enjoys warmer weather, Tuesday’s temperatures were “a little high.”

“I just go to the kiddie pool, get my feet wet, go for a walk, go back to the kiddie pool, try to enjoy it,” he said. “We thought it would be cooler by the lake with a bit of a breeze.”

Gemmiti said she and her husband plan to head north this week to enjoy the weather, though they also plan to stay home when temperatures get too high.

At an outdoor pool elsewhere in Toronto, which reached 34C by late afternoon, Andy Gilson said he planned to spend much of the week indoors or by the water.

“I’m from England and I hear from my family how terrible it is over there,” Gilson said. “But because I’m English, I’m like, ‘This is great!'”

Britain broke its record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on Tuesday amid a heat wave in parts of Europe. The typically temperate nation was just the latest to be hit by unusually hot and dry weather that has sparked wildfires from Portugal to the Balkans and led to hundreds of heat-related deaths.

Gilson said this week he bought the cheapest air conditioning unit available at a Canadian Tire store.

“I have to stay calm, otherwise I’ll be miserable too,” he said.

At a library in Toronto, Molly Short said she was using the facility’s air conditioning to take a break from the heat.

“I was trying to get some work done and it’s colder in (the library) than it is in my apartment,” he said.

“It’s too hot, it’s too hot.”

Environment Canada also issued heat advisories for parts of northern Ontario on Tuesday, including the Sudbury metropolitan area, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Elliot Lake. Other areas, including Thunder Bay and Kenora, were under severe thunderstorm watches.

Several Ontario cities urged residents to try to beat the heat by drinking plenty of water even before they feel thirsty; stay in the shade; go to places with air conditioning; wear light-colored, breathable clothing; and reschedule outdoor exercise for cooler times of day.

Residents were also encouraged to check in with friends, family and neighbors who live alone, as well as those at high risk, such as older adults, young children and people with chronic illnesses.

Communities also warned residents to watch for symptoms of heat illness, including dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headaches, extreme thirst, rapid breathing and very dark yellow urine.

In Toronto, the city extended hours at seven pools until 11:45 p.m. Tuesday in light of a heat advisory.

– with files from The Associated Press.