RELIEF FROM THE HEAT
Four-year-old Kirra Drayton works on her ice cream cone while visiting Reaume Park in Windsor on Friday. Environment Canada issued an extended heat warning with scorching temperatures expected to continue for the next several days.
Have you ever wished for an endless summer?
If you have, Windsor and Essex County are likely to come close to fulfilling your dreams in the coming weeks as all forecasts are pointing to an extended record-breaking heat wave with minimal precipitation well into July.
“There’s a congestion at the jet stream level and whatever we’re stuck with, we’re stuck with for some time,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Gerald Cheng.
“The systems are unable to move west to east and that’s why we’re stuck with this. And it’s just going to get worse.”
Windsor, which has already had above 30 C temperatures since Tuesday, is forecast to have temperatures ranging as high as 36 for the next two weeks.
Environment Canada no longer has an official definition of a heat wave, although it was previously three consecutive days of temperatures 32 or higher.
The longest stretch of consecutive plus-30 days was 14 between July 27 and Aug. 9 in 1988.
“We’ve already got four in the bag and I have six in my forecast and The Weather Network beyond that,” said Environment Canada senior climatologist and Windsor native David Phillips.
“It clearly could be the duration of the heat begins to become unhealthy.
“One- or two-day wonders, even people who are heat sensitive can withstand those.”
Phillips said that Windsor hasn’t had it so bad thus far because the dominant air flow has been coming from the north.
Save for June 10 when the humidex reached 42, humidity hasn’t been oppressive — but that will change.
“What is really the concern now is not so much the duration but the intensity,” Phillips said, noting projected highs in coming days are 8-10 degrees above average.
Overnight temperatures have also generally been dropping low enough for comfortable sleeping without air conditioning, but that too will change, Phillips said.
The lack of precipitation is also a concern as Windsor saw only 64 millimetres of rain in June, less than the average of 86 mm.
“I would think the ground is looking a little like Rice Krispies and goes snap, crackle and pop when you walk on it,” Phillips said.
“There’s no cold front that is going to come for relief. This is just the very beginning of what looks like a long bout of heat and humidity and dryness and sunshine and great for people who like to drink beer on patios.”
Phillips noted that this year the number of places for people to escape the heat will be limited in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Some of these traditional cooling spots are not available to us,” Phillips said.
“If you don’t have air conditioning, it’s going to be unbearable.
“This is pretty warm even for Windsorites.”
The city is opening the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre as a cooling centre daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Monday.
Libraries and city pools remain closed.
WAYS TO HELP PREVENT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS:
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water;
Never leave any person or pets in a parked car;
Seek cooler or air-conditioned spaces;
If you are taking medication or have a health condition, ask your health-care practitioner or pharmacist if heat increases your health risk, and follow their recommendations;
Check on elderly family members and neighbours daily to make sure that they are keeping cool;
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing;
Take cool showers or baths, or use cool, wet towels on your face, neck or arms;
The use of a fan alone may not provide enough relief from the heat;
Avoid strenuous activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its hottest;
Avoid going out in the sun, if possible. If you are outdoors, wear sunscreen;
Avoid heavy meals and using your oven;
Keep curtains closed to block sun during the day.