Home / Weather / Toronto Swelters: Heat Wave Nears Record Highs
Toronto Swelters: Heat Wave Nears Record Highs
15 Jul
Summary
- Toronto neared a record high temperature of 36.2°C on Tuesday.
- A heat wave began Monday and is expected to end Wednesday evening.
- Over 500 cooling spaces are available, including late-night pools.
Toronto is currently experiencing its second heat wave of the summer, with temperatures reaching 36.2 C at Pearson Airport by Tuesday afternoon. The heat, combined with humidity, made conditions feel significantly warmer, approaching the July 14 record of 36.7 C set in 1995. The current heat wave began on Monday and is forecast to continue until Wednesday evening.
City officials have activated numerous heat relief strategies. These include extending the operating hours of eight public pools until 11:45 p.m. and providing more than 500 cooling spaces. A 24-hour cooling center is available at 136 Spadina Road, and the city's shelter system is increasing capacity for unhoused individuals.
This year, Toronto has already seen 13 days above 30 C by mid-July, nearly double the average of seven. Public health officials are warning that vulnerable groups, including young children, the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, and the unhoused, are at higher risk for heat-related illnesses. Symptoms of heat stroke require immediate medical attention, and the city's air quality was also rated as moderately risky on Tuesday.
