Heat wave sweeping Ontario and Quebec spreads to Atlantic provinces
Environment Canada has issued heat warnings from Ontario through the Maritimes, with daytime highs in the mid-30s and humidex values near 45 C expected to linger into the weekend.
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A heat wave bearing down on Ontario this week has shown no signs of letting up and has only spread further east, reaching into the Atlantic provinces.
Environment Canada has posted heat warnings for most of Ontario and Quebec, and the alerts now stretch across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Daytime temperatures in Ontario — from Windsor to Ottawa and Thunder Bay through Timmins and southern James Bay — have climbed into the mid-30s, with the humidex making conditions feel significantly hotter.
Quebec is facing similar heat warnings, with Montreal and Quebec City forecasting highs around 33°C and humidex values near 45°C. In the Maritimes, Environment Canada warns residents in New Brunswick, P.E.I., and mainland Nova Scotia to expect the same sweltering conditions.
The hot and humid weather is expected to linger into the weekend. The heat has already triggered widespread power outages across Ontario and Quebec due to severe thunderstorms. Hydro One in Ontario reported 168,000 customers without power at one point, though crews have been making progress restoring service. Some customers in the hardest-hit areas could remain without power heading into Thursday. Hydro-Quebec also reported just over 10,000 homes and businesses off the grid.
The storms have had cascading effects. At Ottawa Airport, roughly 110 millimetres of rain fell as of Wednesday, and severe thunderstorms forced the cancellation of several Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region, including the planned fireworks show.
The heat wave has also affected major sporting events. Toronto is hosting the sixth and final FIFA World Cup match at the city's stadium, but the city cancelled Thursday's match broadcasts at Nathan Phillips Square due to the extreme heat forecast.
