Heat warning cancelled in Hamilton, but 30C humidity may stay until Sunday

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Published July 21, 2022 at 10:34 am

Although the humidex is already above 30C in Hamilton today, local medical officials have cancelled the heat warning that was issued three days ago.

During a heat warning, which is issued when the recorded temperature — not the humidex — is 30C in Hamilton, certain public and city-partnered buildings are opened as cooling centres. Public pools offer free admission. The warning from the medical officer of health’s office usually follows suit with heat warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The latest warning was issued on Monday afternoon.

The federal climate and weather agency notes the humidex, recorded at John C. Munro International Airport in south Hamilton, was 31C as of 10 a.m. on Thursday (July 21). It could feel like 35C by 5 p.m..

The daytime high for both today and Friday is 29C, with a high of 31C expected for Saturday. Rain is in the forecast for Sunday, and Sunday overnight, after which the projected highs will be in the mid-20s.

Due to climate change, Hamilton is expected to have double the number of 30C days each year until 2050 than it did over the 30-year period from 1976 to 2005.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has kept heat warnings in place for parts of southwestern Ontario, including Sarnia-Lambton County and Windsor-Essex County.

In Ontario, it issued warnings from Sudbury to Ottawa and southwest to Windsor this week, with temperatures largely topping 30C and hitting the upper 30s with humidity the last two days.

— with files from The Canadian Press

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