The hot and humid summer continues with Environment Canada issuing a heat warning for the entire Kawarthas region beginning Saturday (August 9) and continuing into next week.
The heat warning is in effect for Peterborough County, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings County.
In the southern areas of the region, expect daytime highs of 30 to 33 degrees Celsius and humidex values of 35 to 40, with overnight lows of 19 to 23 degrees Celsius. The northern areas of the region will be slightly cooler, with daytime highs near 30 degrees Celsius and humidex values of 35 to 39 and overnight lows near 20 degrees Celsius.
In the northern areas, a cooler air mass is expected to arrive Monday evening to bring an end to the heat event. In the southern areas, the heat may continue into mid-week.
This is the fourth heat warning issued by Environment Canada for the region so far this summer, following three heat warnings in July.
The Environment Canada heat warning comes several hours after Peterborough Public Health and the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (now merged) also issued an extended heat warning based on criteria from Environment Canada.
To help deal with the heat and humidity, Environment Canada is providing the advice listed below.
- Take action to protect yourself and others, as extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day.
- Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water.
- Heat stroke is a medical emergency! Call 9-1-1 or your emergency health provider if you, or someone around you, is showing signs of heat stroke which can include red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and change in consciousness. While you wait for medical attention, try to cool the person by moving them to a cool place, removing extra clothing, applying cold water or ice packs around the body.
- Drink water often, and before you feel thirsty, to replace fluids.
- Close blinds and shades to keep the sunlight out, and open windows if outside is cooler than inside.
- Turn on air conditioning, use a fan, or move to a cooler area of your living space. If your living space is hot, move to a cool public space such as a cooling centre, community centre, library, or shaded park.
- Follow the advice of your region’s public health authority.
- Plan and schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.
- Limit direct exposure to the sun and heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat.
- Never leave people, especially children, or pets inside a parked vehicle. Check the vehicle before locking to make sure no one is left behind.
