Long weekend heat warning issued for Oshawa, Whitby and Durham Region

It’s going to be a hot week as Mother Nature send the final long weekend out with a bang, with temperatures hitting 31 degrees in Oshawa and the rest of Durham Region Sunday and expected 31 or higher through most of the week.

The weather felt like 35 degrees Sunday and will get close to 40 degrees with the humidex by Tuesday, with the heat warning from Environment Canada being extended until at least Wednesday The hot weather is not supposed to break until at least Thursday or even Friday.

Most towns in Durham will keep splash pads open until sunset. Camp Samac outdoor pool in Oshawa will also stay open until sunset and Lakeview Park Beach will extend lifeguard supervision hours to allow residents and visitors plenty of time to stay cool.

All beaches on Lake Ontario are open this week.

Durham Region Health Department advises protective actions during the heat warning:

• If you do go outdoors, drink plenty of water, seek shade and wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses and a hat. Don’t forget your sunscreen. Or reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day if possible.
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked car. Outside temperatures of 23°C /73°F can become dangerously hot inside the car with temperatures becoming higher than 50°C/122°F inside the car, which can lead to serious illness and death. Anyone seeing a person or pet unattended in a hot vehicle at any time should call 911 immediately.
• There are ways to keep your home cool even without an air conditioner. Close curtains or blinds during the day, open windows to cool your household in the evening, use a fan.
• If you must work outside or do physical activity outdoors, take extra breaks, drink lots of water and wear less gear, if possible.

Durham Region outreach staff actively patrol the city to refer individuals without shelter or needing services to resources in the community. If you see or know someone in need of immediate emergency shelter call 9-1-1 or visit the Region of Durham’s Emergency Shelters webpage or the City’s Unsheltered webpage at Oshawa.ca/unsheltered.

For updates on heat weather events check forecasts from Environment Canada and Durham Region Heat Warnings.