Canada Day heat warning means sticky humidity for the capital

The Snowbirds fly past Parliament Hill and Ottawa during the Canada Day festivities in Ottawa last year. This year, the city is under a heat warning with the humidex rising as high as 47. Photo by Jean Levac /Postmedia

Article content

It’ll be stickier than maple syrup for Canada Day in Ottawa.

Article content

Environment Canada is forecasting enough humidity to make it feel like 46 with a high of 34 C on Wednesday.

Article content

Article content

The national weather forecaster issued an orange heat warning starting July 1 and lasting until the weekend, with Wednesday and Thursday being the hottest. Daytime highs will be in the 31 C to 35 C range, with overnight lows only dipping into the 20s for little relief from the heat.

Article content

Article content

Article content

Article content

Environment Canada also warned that the humidity could also bring poorer air quality. The UV index is 9 for Wednesday, considered very high.

Article content

In evening there is a 40 per cent chance of showers, with the risk of a thunderstorm.

Article content

A spokesperson for Heritage Canada, the department that runs the yearly Canada Day festivities, said they were closely monitoring the weather.

Article content

“Visitors are encouraged to prepare for the heat by drinking plenty of water, wearing lightweight clothing, applying sunscreen, seeking shade whenever possible, and taking regular breaks out of the heat. Free drinking water and shaded rest areas will be available throughout the site,” Mélanie Albert-Gagnon said.

Article content

“Any changes to operations, activities, or stage programming will be communicated as quickly as possible through official Canada Day communication channels, on-site announcements, and our website,” Albert-Gagnon said.

Article content

To help combat the heat the city is opening up some of its buildings to let people come in and cool off. That includes City Hall in the heart of downtown, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ben Franklin Place in Nepean will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Article content

Article content

“Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others,” Environment Canada warned. “Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water.”

Article content

Article content

The city recommends drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding caffeine and alcohol. Shade, sunscreen and light, loose-fitting clothing are also recommended. Frequent cool showers of baths, or even cooling yourself off with wet towels or soaking your feet in a cool basin can all help.

Article content

Many of the city’s recreation centres will also be open, but not all pools. The city suggests the public check opening hours at their website:

Article content

Article content

The NCC also has multiple outdoor swimming docks around the city, including two new docks on the Ottawa River, one at the East Wharf below Major’s Hill Park, and another beneath the Museum of History on the Gatineau side of the river.

Article content