We are well into our third and likely the hottest day so far in this current heatwave. The warmest temperature ever recorded in Montreal was 37.6C back on August 1, 1975, we may see that fall with this current heatwave. (The warmest temperature recorded in Canada was 45C at Yellowgrass, Saskatchewan on July 5, 1937. Oddly enough a good friend of mine moved to Yellowgrass in 1994 and I have visited there often.) Montreal at 8am was an incredible 27C with a humidex of 36C. The heat index is already knocking on the door of 100F and it is only 8am. Overnight numbers were impressive, as it never went below 25C at the airport, one of the warmest nights this city has ever recorded. I managed 24C overnight at my place on Ile Perrot, that was after yesterdays high of 34.6C at my home, but officially 32C at the airport. Other area temperatures were 34C at Toronto, 34C at Ottawa and 36C (97F) at Plattsburgh, NY.Needless to say Urgence Sante has been busy here in Montreal. They are on a second level emergency plan with all hands on deck and six extra ambulances on the road. Yesterday they had over 450 calls by mid-afternoon. Many were heat related with heat stroke and exhaustion the main calls. Conditions will not improve before the weekend, with hazy, very hot and increasingly humid weather forecast. Air quality will also deteriorate increasing the risk of respiratory problems. The warmest is yet to come with forecast highs of 35C by Thursday. We may see some relief by Saturday.
A high heat warning is in effect for southern Quebec and eastern Ontario along with a smog advisory. Meanwhile south of the border warnings for heat and poor air quality have been extended into Vermont and all of New York. All locations will see highs between 95-100F and heat indexes slightly above 100F.
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