Feels like 46?! Heat wave on its way to Montreal

Leading up to Fete Nationale celebrations in Quebec, the weather is about to get very hot and humid.

It’s officially summer in the city, and it will kick off with warmer-than-seasonal temperatures.

A hot and humid airmass is making its way towards southern Quebec next week, and our temperatures will be way above normal.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement warning of a heat wave starting on Sunday.

On Monday, we will see daytime highs soar to 32 degrees Celsius, with a mix of sun and cloud in the forecast. The humidity will make it feel like 46 degrees.

Overnight, we will hold on to some of the warmth from the day, with a low of 25 degrees, which is closer to where our daytime high would normally be.

Be sure to turn on your air conditioning for comfortable sleeping conditions.

Tuesday will bring even more sunshine and another hot day, calling for a high of 33 degrees, feeling like 44 degrees. Into the evening, we can expect a low-pressure system to bring some showers and some relief from the heat, calling for a low of 19 degrees.

On Wednesday, we’re calling for a mix of sun and cloud, and we will start to see our temperatures dip ever so slightly, with a daytime high of 27 degrees.

Even though this is still above normal, our temperatures will dip to 15 overnight with a 60 per cent chance of showers, which will make for a decent night’s rest.

An umbrella will come in handy on Thursday, calling for a 60 per cent chance of showers, with a normal high of 24 degrees.

READ MORE: What to expect for the start of summer, according to a senior climatologist

Heat safety

High body temperatures can cause grave injury or lead to death.

The Quebec Health Ministry is asking people to take precautions during the heat wave:

• Drink six to eight glasses of water a day before feeling thirsty; Avoid alcoholic beverages or caffeine;
• Spend at least two hours a day in an air-conditioned or cool place;
• Take at least one cool shower or bath or cool your skin with wet towels;
• Limit physical activity;
• Wear light clothes.
• Signs of heat illness include swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.
• “Reduce your heat risk,” Environment and Climate Change Canada notes. “Schedule outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day.”

Anyone with health-related questions is encouraged to call Info-Santé at 811.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Child safety

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
• Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle.
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle, front and back, before locking the door and walking away.
• Make sure your childcare provider knows to call you if your child has not been dropped off at their usual time.
• Always place an item (such as a purse) in the backseat so you have to open the door each time you leave the vehicle.
• Keep a large stuffed animal in your child’s car seat when it is not occupied. When your child is in the car, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat.
• When you arrive at your destination, avoid any distractions, including talking on the phone or texting.
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call the police.

If they are in distress due to the heat, get them out as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately.

Pool safety

In Quebec, one child a day arrives in an emergency room for drowning or near-drowning during the summer, according to the Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH).

In the last 30 years, the MCH trauma centre says it has seen more than 400 drownings and near-drownings.

Data show that 73 per cent of the incidents occurred in residential pools, park pools, aquatic centres and water parks.

Some ways to prevent drowning hazards:

• Constant adult supervision: undistracted and attentive surveillance of children, meaning no screens, books, chatting or drinking alcohol;
• The supervising adult should be within arm’s reach of anyone with weak swimming skills;
• Swimming lessons are encouraged;
• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training is recommended;
• Never swim alone, regardless of age;
• Know the swimming skill level of those around you.