‘Dangerously hot' heat wave arrives in Toronto. Here's what you need to know
Environment Canada suggests temperatures could soar between 30 to 36 C. Here's a look at how the city is responding and how residents are reacting
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
23 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
A Scorching Start to Summer '25
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alectra Utilities is urging customers to be mindful of their energy consumption to manage summertime electricity bills in response to a prolonged heatwave affecting Southern Ontario. Keeping cool can get costly, but there are ways to conserve electricity in homes and businesses. 'Our system's peak demand is climbing daily due to the sustained high temperatures persisting overnight,' stated Jim Butler, Vice President, Centralized Operations, Network Services, Alectra Utilities. 'These conditions are increasing electricity demand, particularly in the late afternoons when temperatures peak.' As the heatwave intensifies, electricity usage has surged due to air conditioners and cooling systems operating at full capacity. Yesterday, Alectra's system load peaked at 4,893 megawatts (MW). As of 10:30 a.m. this morning, the system load had already reached 4,855 MW (one MW equals one million watts) and climbing. We anticipate further increases in power consumption as the heatwave continues into Tuesday and Wednesday. With extreme heat events becoming more frequent, investing in renewing aging equipment and installing new infrastructure remains crucial to meet the growing grid demand. For more information on Alectra's capital construction investments, please visit: Alectra Utilities offers the following conservation tips to help reduce electricity consumption and manage summertime electricity bills: Make use of a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature. Use ceiling and portable fans to circulate air. If possible, hang clothes outside instead of using a dryer. Use curtains or blinds to shade windows on hot sunny days. If using an air conditioner, keep doors and windows closed. This is especially important for small retail shops and restaurants with street-level entrances. For more information about how you can save energy this summer and avoid higher bills, visit About Alectra Utilities Serving more than one million homes and businesses in Ontario's Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is now the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow's energy future. X: Facebook: LinkedIn: Bluesky: Media Contact
CTV News
28 minutes ago
- CTV News
Live weather alert map shows extreme heat warnings from Windsor to Timmins, Ont.
Your Morning meteorologist Kelsey McEwen has an update on heat in Ontario and Quebec. Extreme heat and dangerous humidity with humidex values in the mid- to high 40s are affecting parts of the country, thanks to a heat dome covering a wide swath of Eastern Canada. Environment Canada issued its first significant heat warning of the summer on Saturday for southern and eastern Ontario, and southern and western Quebec. The Esri Canada map below, connected to live weather alerts from Environment Canada, shows the extent of the areas affected by heart warnings, from as far south as Windsor, Ont., to as far north as just south of Timmins nearly 700 kilometres away. iFrames are not supported on this page. Parts of Ontario and Quebec are experiencing humidex values in the mid- to high 40s, CTV Your Morning meteorologist Kelsy McEwen said on Monday. It's all thanks to a large upper ridge of high pressure in the atmosphere that promotes 'sinking air,' said McEwen, and as that air sinks it compresses and warms. 'So you get these hot parcels of air from the sun shining down at the surface, and they rise, and they sink, and they warm up even further,' she said. Making things even more intense is a lack of movement of air in the lower atmosphere. 'Pollution and air particulate matter can really settle in at the surface, so air quality can reduce,' said McEwen, meaning that children, those with respiratory issues, those who are pregnant and the elderly should all take precautions. 'Not only in terms of breathing, but also in (their) limited ability to regulate body temperature.' McEwen said there will be a slight reprieve in temperature and humidity by Wednesday as drier air slowly moves in. 'Today is probably the worst of the days,' she said. Severe thunderstorms It's not just extreme heat that's on the radar, with Environment Canada alerting widespread severe thunderstorm watches in the Thunder Bay area and in northeast Ontario around Timmins. Areas affected by rainfall warnings can be seen in blue in the above map. Environment Canada says Manitouwadge–Hornepayne in northwestern Ontario has already received up to 50 mm of rain, as heavy showers and thunderstorms continue to move through the area. 'Heavy downpours are likely to cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible,' said Environment Canada. With files from the Canadian Press
CTV News
44 minutes ago
- CTV News
Evacuation order lifted in Ostrea Lake, N.S., after wildfire stabilizes
A wildfire burning in Ostrea Lake, N.S., - 60 kilometres east of Halifax - is pictured from the air on June 22, 2025. (Courtesy: Keigan Miller) People in the Ostrea Lake, N.S., area are allowed to return to their homes after a wildfire prompted an evacuation order Sunday afternoon. The Halifax Regional Municipality said residents could return to their homes starting at 12:30 p.m. Monday. Since the evacuation order has been lifted, the evacuation centre at the Eastern Shore Community Centre has closed. 'Residents are recommended to be prepared in case the situation changes,' said HRM in a statement. Officials said the wildfire near Ostrea Lake, N.S., was being held at about 30 hectares Monday morning and did not grow overnight. 'Drones from Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) conducted an overflight of the fire area this morning,' said HRM in a statement. 'Using thermal imaging they were able to identify minor hot spots with no areas of major concern.' The Department of Natural Resources remains in command of the fire. It said 20 of its firefighters were still on scene Monday morning and a helicopter was ready to assist if needed. The department says rain Sunday night helped crews battle the fire. HRFE and the RCMP will remain in the area to monitor the situation. Highway 7 has reopened to traffic. Meanwhile, people living near the wildfire are advised to close windows and doors and turn off air exchangers until air quality improves. Ostrea Lake Wildfire A wildfire broke out in the area of Ostrea Lake, N.S., Sunday, June 22, 2025. (Source: Facebook/Halifax Professional Fire Fighters) Wildfire started Sunday afternoon The wildfire started Sunday afternoon, prompting the RCMP to evacuate people in the Ostrea Lake area from their homes. A comfort and evacuation centre opened at the Eastern Shore Community Centre in Musquodoboit Harbour, N.S., for people who had to leave the area. Some residents were allowed to return to their homes at 8 p.m. Sunday. 'Extremely challenging conditions' Halifax Professional Fire Fighters said Sunday that the firefighters were facing 'extremely challenging conditions' and had been pulled from the woods for safety reasons at one point. 'The fire conditions are serious, fueled by thick brush, dry vegetation and gusty winds,' said the association in a statement on Facebook at 5:25 p.m. At 6:52 p.m., the association said rain had arrived, fire crews were making strong progress, and the situation had stabilized. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
