Summer is heating up in Thunder Bay.
With mainly sunny skies, Environment Canada reported the city’s temperature rose above 30-degrees Celsius on Tuesday with a possible high of 35C. That’s the hottest it has been in the city since 2010. The heat isn’t expected to go away any time soon with the weekend forecast continuing to stay in the high 20s.
Environment Canada spokesman Geoff Coulson said Thunder Bay could be on its way to breaking a record.
“The current record high for this day in history is 31 degrees set back in 2010,” Coulson said. “It’s shaping up to be a warm and sunny stretch of weather. We’re seeing a large area of high pressure building in from the praries and also from the American Midwest.”
Coulson added that high pressure is expected to stay overhead for the next couple of days. Although the temperature is hot, he said the humidity will remain low.
With the extreme heat the possibility for severe thunderstorms increases but Coulson said the humidity has to get much higher before any big storms can form.
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He added the UV index will remain high around eight or nine meaning people should use sunblock if going outside.
Many residents found refuge from the heat at Prince Arthur’s Landing.
Jessie Hryciuk took her three-year-old-son Cody to cool off at the splash pad. Being six and a half months pregnant, she said finding ways to keep cool is essential.
“I beat the heat with AC and this lovely park,” Hryciuk said. “It’s not fun being pregnant in this heat.”
Chris Hennessy and his wife Sue opted to stay in the shade instead of splashing in the water. The couple arrived in Thunder Bay for a quick visit before heading back to the states.
He said they aren’t used to this kind of weather since back home in Europe they usually get a lot of rain.
“We’re from England so we are enjoying the heat,” Hennessy said.
Taking shade and staying cool are two tips Lynda Fraser, health promotion planner for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, suggests residents should do. She also suggested people should avoid going out in the direct sun and try to schedule their days so they go outside in the morning or later in the day.
She also advised everyone to put on sunscreen, drink lots of water, and avoid beverages with caffeine and alcohol.
Not following these types could lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. She said these heat illnesses could lead to serious health problems and even death if not treated right away.
“Anyone who notices their breathing is increasing, they are feeling weak, more tired than usual and maybe a bit headachy and confused are experiencing symptoms of heat illness,” Fraser said.
“Heat illness can be pretty serious if it isn’t treated in time. You really have to be careful. It’s especially important with weather like this that we look after each other.”
