Ottawa Weather: Heat Warning Issued for Ottawa, with Humidex to Make It Feel Like 40 Degrees

August starts off hot and humid in Ottawa, with humidity making it feel like 40 degrees today and Friday.

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, warning that the heat will continue through Friday and possibly into the weekend.

“A warm and humid air mass is expected to arrive today,” the weather agency said in a statement. “Daytime highs of 30 to 32 degrees Celsius are expected, with humidex values ​​around 40. Nighttime lows will be 19 to 21 degrees Celsius.”

The forecast is for 31 degrees on Thursday and 31 degrees on Friday. The humidity will make it feel like 39 degrees.

In Ottawa today, there will be a mix of sun and clouds, with a 30 percent chance of showers in the late afternoon, with a chance of thunderstorms.

Partly cloudy tonight with a 30 percent chance of showers early tonight. Chance of thunderstorms. Low 20 C.

It will be mostly sunny on Friday.

The outlook for Saturday is mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers. High 28 C.

Sunday will be cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. High 25 C.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are between 26°C and 16°C.

Tips to stay cool

Ottawa Public Health offers the following tips to stay cool:

• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Avoid intensive outdoor activities.
• Wear a hat, light, loose clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses when outdoors.
• Seek cooling in air-conditioned areas, if available. Think of shopping malls, museums, libraries and cinemas.
• Seek cooling in the shade, in a park or in a green area.
• Use a fan and spray your skin with water.
• Take a cold bath or shower as often as needed, or soak your hands or feet in cold water.
• Keep your home cool by closing the blinds and curtains on all windows that face the sun.
• Open windows at night when the outside air is cooler than the inside air. Close windows in the morning, before the warmer air comes in.
• Use fans at night to remove warm air from indoors and/or bring in cool air from outside.

The city’s website has an interactive map of places to cool off, including water playgrounds, parks and green spaces, community centres and branches of the Ottawa Public Library.