The warnings have been shouted from the roof tops for the last few days that Oakville was going to experience extreme heat. Well, I can tell you, looking at my car's exterior temperature reading at 10:00 AM recorded 30 C; and I had to agree we were in for a hot few days.
Environment Canada re-issued its heat warning for Oakville at 4:51 AM this morning. The Heat Warning is expected to end Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Today's temperature is expected to reach 32 feeling like 39 with thunderstorms rolling this evening. Thunderstorms are expected to last through Friday morning, with the high expected to reach 34 feeling like 44. After that we'll have to see if Oakville will experience its first heat wave of 2016.
Here is Environment Canada's Heat Warning as issued on July 21, 2016 at 4:51 AM:
An extended period of hot and humid weather will arrive today and continue into the weekend. Humidex values will approach 40 degrees at times.
Please refer to the public forecast for more details.
Heat illnesses are preventable.
While heat can put everyone at risk from heat illnesses, health risks are greatest for:
- older adults;
- infants and young children;
- people with chronic illnesses such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions or psychiatric illnesses;
- people who work in the heat;
- people who exercise in the heat;
- homeless people; and
- people without access to air conditioning.
Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps (muscle cramps).
Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include:
- dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting
- headache
- rapid breathing and heartbeat
- extreme thirst and
- decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine.
If you experience any of these symptoms during a heat event, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.
Drink plenty of liquids especially water before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.
Frequently visit neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those who are chronically ill, to make sure that they are cool and hydrated.
Never leave people or pets in your care inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Cooling centres locations and hours of operation
Town Hall
1225 Trafalgar Road L6H 0H3
Monday to Sunday 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Oakville Public Libraries
Visit the Oakville Public Library website for all branch hours
Sixteen Mile Sports Complex
3070 Neyagawa Blvd L6M 4C7
Monday to Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Glen Abbey Community Centre
1415 3rd Line L6M 3G2
Monday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.–7 p.m. (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July and August)
Iroquois Ridge Community Centre
1051 Glenashton Drive L6H 6Z4
Monday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (6 a.m. to 8 p.m. July and August)
Saturday and Sunday 8 am. to 7 p.m. (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July and August)
Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
2302 Bridge Road L6L 2G6
Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
River Oaks Community Centre
2302 Bridge Road L6L 2G6
Monday to Thursday 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Friday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July and August)
Sir John Colborne Seniors’ Centre
1565 Old Lakeshore Road L6L 6N1
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oakville Seniors’ Centre
263 Kerr Street L6K 3B4
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Splash pads
During heat alerts Town of Oakville splash pads will be in operation until 10 p.m.
Pools
For regular pool schedules and locations, please visit the public swimming page.
Lake Ontario Swimming Areas in Oakville
Oakville also has three public swimming areas on Lake Ontario. Halton Region tests the water quality of the beaches once a week during the summer. There will be a new beach water quality report out on Friday: July 22, 2016. Current situation of Oakville Beaches is:
- Bronte Beach: NOT SAFE FOR SWIMMING
- West side of Bronte Creek
- Coronation Park East: Safe for Swimming
- 1426 Lakeshore Road West
- Coronation Park West: Safe for Swimming
- 1426 Lakeshore Road West
Photo credit: nattu / Foter / CC BY
During heat alerts and warm weather, the following is recommended:
- Drink lots of water (avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages)
- Check regularly on children, neighbours, the elderly, persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses
- Stay in an air-conditioned place (if possible) and only go outdoors during the coolest part of the day
- Limit outdoor exercise
- Avoid the sun by wearing loose-fitting clothing, hat and sunglasses and apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside.