Feels like 44 C in Ottawa with humidex as heat event continues

High heat and humidity are continuing to impact people in the nation’s capital on Monday.

According to Environment Canada, the sun will be out with a high of 36 C, factoring in the humidex, it’ll feel like 44 C. The sticky hot weather is set to persist on Tuesday, with very little reprieve in the overnight hours.

This heat dome is causing much of Ontario to bake in high temperatures.

Environment Canada issued a heat warning from part of northern Ontario to southern Quebec, saying hot and humid conditions will likely continue until Wednesday. Humidex values will linger in the mid-40s.

“The first significant heat event of the season with dangerously hot and humid conditions is expected to continue into the week,” Canada’s weather agency stated.

Despite the stifling conditions, the temperature on June 22 was not record-breaking. According to Environment Canada, the hottest it has ever been was 33.3 C in 1983 at the Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport. Temperatures were close yesterday but came to 32.6 C.

It is possible a heat record could be broken on June 23.

The weather agency’s data shows that in 1983, June 23 reached a high of 33.3 C, but today it is forecasting a high of 36 C.

City of Ottawa’s response to heat

In a memo to council Sunday night, Ryan Perrault, General Manager, Emergency and Protective Services, said that the municipality is monitoring call data to 311, Ottawa paramedics and other social partners.

To date, there have been no heat-related 311 calls. Paramedics said they have no seen an increase in call volume either.

The city is implementing proactive measures to keep people updated and safe including:

• Ottawa Fire Services (OFS): Starting today, June 23, OFS staff will be visiting apartment buildings to assess access to air-conditioning. They will also speak directly with property managers and residents to ensure that necessary information and supports are in place.  
• Outreach Services: In addition to the Salvation Army Outreach Van, the Community and Social Services Department’s “Community Engagement Team” will be distributing water and providing information on where residents can access air-conditioned spaces.  
• Access to Facilities and Pools: Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services has over 100 City facilities available as cooling locations. Additionally, lane swims at city pools have been converted to public swims to maximize public access. 
• Public Communications: Ottawa Public Health (OPH) and the City’s Public Information and Media Relations team are sharing regular updates across social media platforms as part of the “Beat the Heat” campaign.  
• Coordination with Partners: OEM and OPH continue to engage with healthcare providers, as well as Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One, to stay informed about any planned or unplanned power outages that could impact residents.