Toronto remains under an extreme heat alert and a humidex advisory as a week of scorching temperatures and sweltering humidity continues Wednesday.

Wednesday’s high is expected to be 33 C, but it will feel more like 42 with the humidity.

The UV will be a “very high” rating of 10, Environment Canada warns.

There will be a slight chance of rain and a risk of thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening, the national weather agency says.

The following cooling centres are open to the public until the extreme heat alert is called off:

  • Centennial Recreation Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Driftwood Community Centre, 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. (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.)
  • Metro Hall, 55 John St. (open 24 hours)
  • North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

These pools are open until 11:45 p.m.:

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

Torontonians will have to contend with the heat and humidity – or bask in it, if the sweltering heat is their thing – until the weekend.

Daytime highs will remain in the low 30s until they drop to seasonal territory with Saturday’s high of 28 C. Sunday’s high is expected to be 24 C.

Toronto Public Health says people should follow these tips to stay cool:

  • Drink lots of cool water
  • If you don’t have air-conditioning at home, go to a shopping mall, library or community centre
  • Wear loose, light-coloured and breathable clothing and when outdoors wear a wide-brimmed hat
  • Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella
  • Plan outdoor activities during the 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 require an oven
  • Put a fan next to a window to bring cooler air in from outside

Toronto Public Health offers these tips to keep pets safe and cool:

  • Provide plenty of fresh water
  • Limit your pet’s exposure to the sun to avoid sunburn
  • Use air-conditioning or a fan to keep your home cool
  • Provide shade if your pet ventures outdoors
  • Never leave a pet unattended in hot weather on balconies or in unsheltered backyards
  • Overeating during hot weather can lead to overheating, so let your pets eat less
  • Take dogs for walks during the cooler parts of the day
  • Signs of heat stroke include rapid panting, lots of drooling, hot skin, twitching muscles, vomiting and a dazed look

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