WARM WEATHER AHEAD
Get ready for a hot, humid July 1 weekend.
The traditional start to the summer holidays is set to kick off with an Eastern Canada heat wave, as forecasters warned of sweltering temperatures that could inch into the 40s with the humidex this Canada Day weekend.
Environment Canada issued special weather statements Wednesday for the Maritimes and southern parts of Quebec and Ontario as a mass of hot and humid air heads north from the Gulf of Mexico.
“This will likely be the most significant heat event of the season thus far,’’ said meteorologist Jill Maetea, who is based in Fredericton, N.B.
“With all the planned outdoor activities of the long weekend, people should be aware of the predicted weather conditions and take the necessary precautions. If you’re going to outside — it’s going to be hot — so seek shade when possible to avoid overexposure.’’
Southern Ontario was expected to feel the most heat, with the temperature forecasted to
climb into the mid-40s with the humidex. Humidex values could exceed 40 C in southern Quebec.
Environment Canada said the airmass would settle over Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P.E.I. over the weekend, bringing humidex values exceeding 36 C.
The national weather forecaster
said it was not clear when there would be relief from the heat, and it would likely persist into next week.
The heat wave was a definitive sign of the arrival of summer in the Maritimes, just weeks after frost caused widespread damage to crops throughout the region.
Meanwhile, it was looking more like winter in other areas.
Snow fell in the Cape Breton Highlands and over parts of Newfoundland on Tuesday, setting a snowfall record for June 26 in Gander, N.L. There was no previous snowfall recorded on that day.