Thunderstorm, scorching heat hit Ottawa-Gatineau

A thunderstorm with powerful gusts of wind and lightning strikes rumbled through the Ottawa-Gatineauregion Mondayafternoon, destroying trees and causing power outages.

The thunderstorm which rolled in around 3:15 p.m. and passed through Ottawa by about 4:30 p.m.caused damage in a number of locations, and led to sporadic power outages on a daymany people stayed indoors because of the heat.

Heat wave keeps people inside

The temperature Monday hit a high of 36 C, but the humidity madeit feel more like 45.

Environment Canada issued a heat warning for the region on Friday, and it is still in effect. Warm temperatures are expected to persist for most of the week.

A few handfuls of people visited beaches and splash pads in the city Monday.

"We dealt with winter all year, it seems like forever. Why not get outside right?" saidWayne McCormick, who visited Britannia Beach with his four-year-old daughter Monday.