Today is expected to be the hottest day of the summer so far as the temperature soars to 34 C in Toronto this afternoon.

Environment Canada has extended its heat warning for Toronto and much of the GTA and an extreme heat alert has been issued for the city.

An extreme heat alert is issued when the forecasted humidex is above 40 C for three consecutive days.

Cooling centres will be open across Toronto today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the East York Civic Centre, the North York Civic Centre, the Driftwood Community Centre, the Etobicoke Civic Centre, the McGregor Community Centre and the Centennial Park Community Centre. However, Metro Hall will be open to the public 24 hours.

The following eight community pools have also had their hours extended until 11:45 p.m. to give residents another way to beat the heat:

  • Alex Duff Memorial Pool, 779 Crawford Ave.
  • Alexandra Park Pool, 275 Bathurst St.
  • Cummer Park Community Centre Pool, 6000 Leslie St. 
  • Giovanni Caboto Outdoor Pool, 1369 St. Clair Ave. W.
  • McGregor Park Outdoor Pool, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
  • Monarch Park Pool, 115 Felstead Ave. 
  • Sunnyside-Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool, 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
  • Smithfield Outdoor Pool, 175 Mount Olive Dr.

To keep cool during a heat wave, the city recommends wearing light-coloured, loose clothing and brimmed hats, rescheduling outdoor activities, and keeping blinds or drapes closed if you do not have air conditioning.

Relief from the heat likely won't come until Saturday, when the temperature is expected to drop 24 C. Rain may also cool things off this weekend.

As the temperatures continue to rise, the OSPCA is also reminding pet owners not to leave their animals in hot cars, even for a short period of time.

OSPCA Insp. Brad Dewar said they received about 15 complaints for animals trapped inside hot parked cars on Wednesday.

Officials ask that if you come across an animal in distress inside an unattended vehicle, to report it to the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at 310-SPCA (7722).