Heat warning in effect

High temperature could reach 32 C on Sunday

Both Peterborough Public Health and Environment Canada issued are late September heat warnings for Peterborough city and county on Friday afternoon.

A high of 31 C, feeling more like 39 C with the humidex, is forecast for Saturday and a high of 32 C is expected Sunday with the humidex again near the 40 C mark.

The normal high temperature for this time of the year in Peterborough is 18 C.

Peterborough Public Health has also taken the unusual step of resuming beach water testing at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove on Little Lake as well as at Lakefield Beach.

Normally beach water testing ends for the season at the start of the Labour Day weekend.

The results of the beach testing won’t be known until Monday though.

So the health unit recommends parents take their children to splash pads instead of beaches to cool down.

The first day of fall on Friday saw the high temperature in Peterborough climb to 27.8 C, feeling more like 32 C with the humidex.

That type of heat poses an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion, according to Environment Canada.

“Temperatures and humidity are expected to increase this weekend under continued sunny skies,” states the heat warning issued at 3:28 p.m. by Environment Canada for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“Maximum humidex values are forecast to approach 40 on both Saturday and Sunday, and the unseasonably warm temperatures and humidity are likely to persist into early next week.”

Environment Canada offers the following advice about the extreme heat:

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Reduce your heat risk. Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.

Seek a cool place such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or air-conditioned spot like a public building.

Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle.

Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool place.

Environment Canada’s heat warning is also in effect for most of southern Ontario.

“People suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises and they are unable to cool themselves,” the heat warning from Peterborough Public Health states.

“The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual’s sensitivity to heat. If you feel faint, find it hard to breathe, or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.”

The health unit also advises people to check up on their family, friends and neighbours during the warm spell, especially seniors who live on their own, to make sure they are OK.

“Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty,” the warning states. “This decreases your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.”

This is only the second heat warning of the year to be issued by Peterborough Public Health.

As of 4 p.m. Friday, the Air Quality Health Index for Peterborough was 3, which is considered to be low risk, and is forecast to remain at 3 through Saturday.