Toronto Public Health has upgraded its heat alert to an extreme heat alert, meaning cooling centres are open and pool hours are extended at some facilities as people try to stay cool.

The city upgraded the alert Monday, as the region sweats through hot and humid weather that is expected to last until the middle of the week.

A humidex advisory was previously issued by Environment Canada.

Temperatures of at least 30 C and humidex values near 40 are expected until Thursday, when a weather disturbance is expected to move into the region and bring a greater chance of rain and thunderstorms that should break the heat, Environment Canada says.

Monday will bring a high of 31 C, mix of sun and cloud, rain and a risk of thunderstorms in the afternoon. The UV index will be 9 or very high.

The temperature is a few degrees lower near Lake Ontario.

People who are looking for a place to escape the heat can head to air-conditioned shopping malls, libraries or community centres, or one of the following cooling centres operated by the city:

  • Metro Hall, 55 John St. (24 hours)
  • East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • North York Civic Centre, 511 Yonge St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Driftwood Community Centre, 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • McGregor Community Centre, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Centennial Park Community Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

During extreme heat alerts, pets can enter the cooling centres with their owners. Pets must be leashed and under the owner’s control at all times, and the owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, a city spokesperson told CP24 reporter George Lagogianes.

A city spokesperson told CP24.com that despite the extreme heat alert, pools will not be open late tonight. Extended hours at swimming pools do not start until July 2, she said.

Rainy days ahead

Tuesday will stay hot and humid, with a high of 33 C and a chance of rain in the afternoon and evening.

After a high of 30 C and a 70 per cent chance of rain Wednesday, daytime highs will begin to drop.

Thursday will be 27 C.

In its long-term forecast, Environment Canada is predicting highs of 25 C on Friday, 24 C on Saturday and 21 C on Sunday, along with a chance of rain each day.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are highs of 25 C and lows of 14 C.

Because an extreme heat alert is in effect, Toronto Public Health is encouraging people to check on family members or friends who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness, including seniors and people with chronic and pre-existing illnesses.

Toronto Public Health offers these tips to avoid heat-related illness:

  • Drink lots of cool water
  • Go to an air-conditioned place
  • Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella
  • When outdoors, wear loose, light-coloured and breathable clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat
  • Reschedule outdoor activities to cooler parts of the day
  • Take cool showers or baths, or use cool wet towels to cool down
  • At home, keep blinds or drapes closed to block out the sun
  • Make meals that don’t use an oven, especially if you don’t have air conditioning
  • Use a fan next to a window to bring cooler air in from outside
  • Never leave a person or pet inside a parked car or in direct sunlight

Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, headache, rapid breathing and heartbeat, and extreme thirst.

People who experience these symptoms should move to a call place and drink water, or see a doctor if the symptoms persist, the city says.

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