'Prolonged heat event' to bake the GTA this week

It's going to be intensely hot and humid throughout the GTA this week, as a "prolonged heat event" brings sweltering temperatures to much of Ontario.

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for a vast expanse of the province, from Windsor in the south all the way to Fort Albany in the north, and from Ottawa in the east to Sault Ste Marie in the west.

Daytime highs are expected to hover between 30 C and 35 C, with it feeling more like 40 or 45 with the humidity.

"There will be little relief through the overnight," the federal weather agency says, as temperatures in the low 20s and humidex values between 26 and 30will persist throughout the early morning hours.

Those who live closer to the shores of Lake Ontario could see slightly cooler temperatures, the warning notes.

"Extreme heat can affect everyone's health," Environment Canada says. "Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions."

Environment Canada also cautions that hot and humid weather can worsen air quality.

David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, says the systembaking Ontario this week is part of a heat dome sitting over eastern North America, stretching from Georgia all the way north to Atlantic Canada.

The days willget hotter as the week goes on because the heat dome has a cumulative effect on temperature, he told CBC Toronto on Monday.

"It's like putting the Rogers Centre dome over Toronto and just having all the air sinking and squeezing together,and the sunjust baking it. And it just gets hotter and hotter and more uncomfortable and it's hard to find relief," Phillips said.

WATCH | How a heat dome will bring sweltering temperatures to Ontario:

What is a heat dome? A climatologist breaks it down

2 months ago

Duration 2:32

Dave Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, explains what conditions create a heat dome and how 'oppressive and sultry' temperatures get locked in for days.

To cope with the heat, Khalil Aldroubi, his wife and fivechildren strategically place fans throughout their three-bedroom apartment on the 21st floor of a rental building in Thorncliffe Park.

"Sometimes we put the pillow and some blankets in the freezer before we go to bed. Just gives you some few minutes before sleep," Aldroubi said.

Ultimately, the fans just push the hot air around their home. The family used to have two window air conditioners installed, but the building owners put a stop to that.

"They sent us some notices that we're not allowed to put the window AC because it's unsafe."

Toronto opens outdoor pools early

The city opened 10 wading pools 10 outdoor pools early, over the weekend. You can check the city's website for moreinformation.

The wading pools include:

• Don Russell Memorial Park.
• Eglinton Park.
• High Park.
• Kew Gardens.
• Knob Hill Park.
• McCormick Park.
• Prairie Drive.
• Rexlington Park.
• Riverdale Park West.
• Woburn Park.

The outdoor pools include:

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool.
• Heron Park Community Centre.
• Kiwanis Outdoor Pool.
• McGregor Park Community Centre.
• North York Memorial Community Centre.
• Parkway Forest Outdoor Pool.
• Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool.
• Riverdale Park East.
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool.
• West Mall Outdoor Pool.

City extends hours at select pools due to heat warning

On Monday afternoon, the city announced that it has extended the hours of select pools due to the heat warning.

From Monday until Thursday, the the following outdoor pools will be open, weather permitting, until 9 p.m.:

• Heron Park Community Centre.
• Kiwanis Outdoor Pool.
• Pine Point Park Outdoor Pool.
• Riverdale Park East.
• West Mall Outdoor Pool.

The following outdoor pools will be open, weather permitting, until 10 p.m. Monday. But from Tuesday to Thursday this week,these locations will be open until 11:45 p.m., weather permitting:

• Alex Duff Memorial Pool.
• McGregor Park.
• North Toronto Memorial Community Centre.
• Parkway Forest Outdoor Pool.
• Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool.

If you find yourself in need of an air conditioned space, the city also maintains an interactive map of so-called "cool places," including libraries and community centres, where you can find relief from the heat.

WATCH | CBC's Colette Kennedy explains what Torontonians can expect this week:

Extreme heat warning in effect for the GTA all week. Here is what to expect

2 months ago

Duration 2:52

Environment Canada says the GTA could see dangerously hot and humid conditions with daytime highs around 30 C to 35 C and humidex values ranging from 40 to 45. Meteorologist Colette Kennedy explains what people can expect for the next couple of days.