Latest news with #AnthonyFarnell
Global News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Global News
Extreme heat can turn dangerous fast. Who is most vulnerable?
Doctors and health-care experts are warning Canadians to not only look after themselves but also check on others who could be vulnerable as large parts of central Canada face a sweltering heat wave. Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell says a large heat ridge or dome will build over the Ohio Valley in the U.S. and expand into southeastern Canada by the end of the weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-30s C and the humidex could make that feel much higher, with humidex readings potentially into the mid-40s. When heat hits those levels, the body has to work harder to keep itself cool. 'The hypothalamus acts as the thermostat and sends signals to the heart to start beating faster, sends signals to our body to breathe a little faster and that helps the blood flow to the extremities so that we can dissipate heat through radiant heat loss,' said Dr. Samantha Green, a family physician at Unity Health Toronto with expertise in climate change and health. Story continues below advertisement 'It also sends signals so that we can cool down through evaporative cooling through sweating.' What does extreme heat do to your body? Prolonged exposure to heat can impact the human body in a variety of ways. One of the most common is heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is characterized by headache, dizziness, extreme thirst, heavy sweating, muscle cramps and nausea and vomiting, according to Health Canada, and people are advised to immediately move to a cool place and drink water if experiencing these symptoms. If left untreated, that exhaustion can become heat stroke, which is defined by Johns Hopkins Medicine as the body being overwhelmed by excessive heat. Those suffering from heat stroke often have an internal temperature of 40 C or higher, warm, dry skin, confusion and nausea, and it can lead to worse conditions, including seizures, coma and even death. Story continues below advertisement While people will keep an eye on the temperature, studies show that people should also be aware of the 'wet bulb' temperature — when both humidity and air temperatures are high, it can be harder to shed heat and keep yourself cool. A 2010 study found that a wet-bulb temperature of 35 C that lasts longer than six hours could cause serious health impacts or even death. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology in 2022 found that at 100 per cent humidity, the threshold could be as low as 31 C, while at 38 C, just 60 per cent humidity could be too much for the body. 4:47 Summer can be a dangerous time for our furry friends If you are suffering from heat stroke or you notice someone with similar symptoms, move to a cool place to rest and call 911, as it is a life-threatening medical emergency. Story continues below advertisement 'If you don't feel well from the heat, seek medical attention or call 911. Don't be afraid to ask for help,' said Caroline Metz, managing director of climate resilience and health at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo. Vulnerable populations, such as youth and older adults or those with chronic conditions, may find it more difficult to beat the heat. Who's most at risk? Nemours Children's Health in the U.S. notes that children's bodies are still developing and may sweat at a lower rate than adults and start sweating at a higher temperature, putting them more at risk of heat-related illness. Older adults face higher risks as they may have trouble accessing cool spaces due to mobility or transportation challenges, and those living alone may be more vulnerable as a result, according to B.C. Interior Health. Story continues below advertisement Older adults, as well as other Canadians, may also have chronic underlying health conditions or be taking medication that could interfere with the body's ability to stay cool. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that those with these conditions may be less likely to respond to changes in temperature, and that those with heart disease, mental illness and obesity have a higher risk of heat-related illness. 4:08 Summer heat can be dangerous for seniors 'It's also why people with chronic health conditions are more at risk of developing heat exhaustion, heat stroke, where the body's natural cooling mechanisms break down and the core body temperature exceeds 40 degrees,' Green said. 'That's where we end up with massive inflammation and failure of organs in the body.' People taking chronic medications can also be affected. Green said beta blockers, for example, prevent the heart from beating faster in response to heat and keep the body from naturally being able to cool down. Story continues below advertisement It's not just health conditions or age that can pose vulnerabilities, however. 'Anybody who's working outside or people experiencing homelessness, they're more exposed to heat and that's a group or a population that's more at risk,' Metz said. How to protect yourself and others Metz notes that during heat waves, it's important for people to watch out for others and check in on neighbours because those living alone or socially isolated can also be vulnerable to heat. A B.C. coroner's report following the 2023 heat dome noted that 98 per cent of the 619 deaths identified as being related to heat occurred indoors, with 56 per cent of those who died living alone. 'Social cohesion or social connectedness has been shown to be a very important factor for resilience and for health during heat waves,' Metz said. Story continues below advertisement 'In fact, in some cultures where there are multi-generational families living together, it's just very natural for people to care about others … so they don't often experience the same kind of situation that we might have here in North America, where we have one generation living in a household. 'The ability to reach out, call someone, or stop by has been shown to greatly support health and well-being for people who are isolated.' She added that older adults and those living alone should reach out to other people to let them know they're on their own and are open to having someone check on them during periods of extreme weather. As a heat wave enters Ontario later this weekend, Metz said people should stay in the coolest part of their home if possible or go to a community cooling centre, wear lighter-coloured clothing if you have to go out, keep your doors and windows closed during the hottest parts of the day, and turn off items that may produce extra heat in your home. 'If you need to be out, you want to do that during the parts of the day that are the coolest,' she suggested, noting this means early mornings and late evenings.
Global News
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Global News
Summer heat wave set to hit Ontario may bring temperatures not seen in years
Southern Ontario is set to get hit with a strong heat wave just in time for the official start of summer. Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell says a large heat ridge or dome will build over the Ohio Valley in the U.S. and expand into southeastern Canada by the end of the weekend. With the summer solstice, which occurs on Friday and is the longest day of the year for hours of sunlight, residents in southern Ontario will finally start to feel the true heat after a back-and-forth spring season. Temperatures are expected to soar into the low to mid 30s for at least three days in southern Ontario and two or more days in Quebec, Farnell said. The hottest day will be on Monday, when the high is forecasted to hit above 35 C in Toronto, and the humidex could briefly reach as high as 45 C. Story continues below advertisement 'This would be a record for the date and the hottest temperatures we've experienced in three years,' Farnell said. View image in full screen Monday snapshot across Ontario and Quebec. Global News But how long will the heat wave stay? Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Farnell says a cool front will slowly slide in from the south on Tuesday into Wednesday bringing an end to the extreme heat, and the chance of thunderstorms. He also said there is a risk of some 'very strong thunderstorms along the warm front as the heat and humidity sweeps in this weekend.' 'Computer models have not been able to show exactly where these storms will form or when but be on the lookout late Saturday into Sunday morning, especially across cottage country and eastern Ontario for quite the light show,' Farnell said. Story continues below advertisement However, Farnell did note that temperatures will still remain above seasonal up until Canada Day. 'The first heat wave of the year is always more dangerous because our bodies haven't yet adapted,' Farnell said. According to Environment Canada, Toronto is expected to see a high of 25 C on Friday for summer solstice, 28 C on Saturday, and temperatures will soar into the 30s for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Global News
05-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Air quality watches, statements issued for a large portion of Ontario
With wildfire smoke looming over Ontario, Environment Canada has issued air quality watches and statements for a large portion of the province. The statements run from Sarnia and London north into Fort Albany and include Moosonee, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, and vary depending on location. London and Sarnia are expected to be dealing with wildfire smoke throughout Thursday. Conditions are expected to improve overnight but could continue into Friday, according to Environment Canada. Farther north, the conditions are expected to last for several days, with the agency warning that 'as smoke levels increase, health risks increase.' The watches, which are considered more serious, extend from Attawapiskat west into Saskatchewan as well as from Kirkland Lake north into the northeastern portion of Quebec. Story continues below advertisement 1:55 How researchers are detecting wildfires with high-tech tools Environment Canada warned that 'during heavy smoke conditions, everyone's health is at risk regardless of their age or health status.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In both cases, it says to limit time outdoors and consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor events or activities. 'You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough,' the federal agency said, before warning people to seek medical treatment in cases of emergency. Some of the smoke is coming from wildfires burning in northern Ontario, Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said Tuesday as hazy skies were present over much of southern Ontario. He said the rain the southern portion of the province was seeing Wednesday night and Thursday would clear the air. Story continues below advertisement 'The air will temporarily clear out with rain Wednesday night into Thursday, but smoke will likely be back by the weekend. Smoke will be a frequent occurrence depending on which way the winds blow until a soaking rain falls out west, and that's still at least several days away,' Farnell said.
Global News
03-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Smoke from western wildfires to blame for hazy southern Ontario skies
In northern Ontario, air quality warnings have been issued by Environment Canada in connection to forest fires, but the southern part of the province is also being impacted. Upper-level smoke from wildfires out west are making for hazy skies over southern Ontario, according to Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell. 'The smoke here is mostly from fires burning in Saskatchewan and Manitoba but there is also some fire smoke from northwestern Ontario in there as well,' he explained Tuesday morning, noting that it is also keeping a lid on warmer weather. 'Today it's at its thickest higher up in the atmosphere which is leading to these hazy skies and will likely affect the temperature today, keeping it a degree or so cooler than if we didn't have any smoke.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The issue is expected to partially clear up on Wednesday ,although that will not last for long. Story continues below advertisement 'Tomorrow ahead of a cold front, air quality will start to deteriorate as some of the lower level particulates move in from those same fires,' Farnell said. 'The air will temporarily clear out with rain Wednesday night into Thursday, but smoke will likely be back by the weekend. Smoke will be a frequent occurrence depending on which was the winds blow until a soaking rain falls out west, and that's still at least several days away.' This could be an ongoing issue throughout the summer as Farnell's summer forecast calls for hot, dry weather for the Prairies throughout the summer months. Out in Saskatchewan, there are currently 18 fires actively burning. The province has already seen 219 fires already this year, a number which is well above the fire-year average of 131. It is estimated that more than 8,000 people have been evacuated from their homes as a result of the ongoing fires. It is a similar situation in Manitoba, as more than 17,000 people have been forced to leave their homes since last week, including 5,000 residents of Flin Flon, which is near the border with Saskatchewan. The province say rain on Monday was not enough to stop the 25 wildfires that were reported to be burning in the province on Sunday. Story continues below advertisement — With files from Global News and the Canadian Press
Global News
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Chill, Ontario: Why warm, sunny days are on the way after very cool May
After a cold, snowy winter followed by a cool start to spring, many Ontarians were hoping for a summer start to June but were forced to keep their winter gear on their torsos Sunday as temperatures fell below 5 C. 'The low temperature of 4.9 C at Pearson airport was the coldest June temperature in the last 20 years,' Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said. 'It was also a chilly start to the day on this June 2nd with mid-single digits across the GTA. 'This comes after a chilly second half of May, which was cooler than the first half of the month. This doesn't happen very often.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy This is a far cry from just two years ago when the Toronto area experienced record temperatures of 30.9 C and is much closer to the record coldest June 1 which was in 1945, when the temperature fell to of 1.1 C. Story continues below advertisement Sunday's cool weather followed on the heels of a blustery last couple of weeks of May but Farnell says things are about to get much warmer. 'The warmest it got in May was only 27.5 C, so we are overdue for some hot weather around here and it is coming,' he said. 'Temperatures will warm up through the first half of the week, with the hottest day of the year so far coming on Wednesday.' On Sunday, the meteorologist released his outlook for the summer, with the Big Smoke and surrounding areas expected to encounter a wet June before sweltering temperatures arrive over July and August. 'My summer forecast is still calling for a hot summer across most of Canada, but for us around the Great Lakes, June will be closer to normal before the heat and humidity sets in for July and August.'
