Latest news with #Maritimes
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
First heat wave of 'torrid summer' to hit Eastern Canada next week
The first heat wave of Summer 2025 is about to hit Eastern Canada, with temperatures climbing to the mid-30s early next week. Add the humidity from a wet spring and it will feel even hotter. We'd better get used to it, as it is signalling 'a torrid summer ahead,' says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. 'We rarely go a year without a heat wave,' he says, 'but this will be the first one and people have to learn how to deal with it again.' The high pressure system will settle over southern and eastern Ontario as well as southern Quebec. It will edge into southeastern Manitoba on one side and western New Brunswick on the other. Contrasting this spate of heat with the renown 'polar vortex' of winter, Phillips refers to this phenomenon as a 'Bermuda High.' That's a semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure, which usually migrates east-west, back and forth across the North Atlantic, influencing weather patterns. Except this one is further west and further north than usual, says Phillips. 'It circulates southern air further north.' There's no doubt it will feel oppressive, says Phillips, adding that a heat dome squeezes air molecules, pressing them downward, creating heat from the friction. Moisture from a particularly wet spring will compound with the heat. There has been 30 to 40 per cent more precipitation than normal this year, he says. During the day the humidity may make it feel like 40 degrees Celsius or more. Another factor in the mix is the sunshine. Long summer days 'prevent the cool-off,' he says. At night, it will feel tropical, with temperatures above 20 C. The Maritimes won't get the extreme heat, but temperatures will rise, particularly in western New Brunswick. Western Canada has been experiencing heat already, with many hot, dry days (made worse by wildfire smoke), he says. But, he adds, in eastern Canada, people have been asking when the warmth is going to arrive. Normally, Eastern Canada would have several days in the 30s by now, says Phillips, but there were none in May and only one in June. Contrast that with Winnipeg, which he says has had nine or 10. 'In eastern Canada, people have felt left out, on the sidelines.' But now summer heat is arriving with a vengeance. It will be a three-day event with temperatures rising to the mid-30s in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, accompanied by nighttime temperatures in the 21-23 C range, with the humidex in the low to mid 40s. 'That's eight or nine degrees warmer than normal.' Ultimately, it seems we had better get used to this. All the weather-mapping models from Canada, the U.S. and Europe are predicting increasingly hot summers, says Phillips. 'This will be the first heat wave, but it's not going to be the last. We're going to see repetition throughout the summer.' He cautions that publicized high temperatures are measured in the shade. As a result, 'going out into the sun could add another seven to 10 degrees to the body. It's a lot of stress on the body. Too much.' It results in increased hospital admissions, he notes. 'People may not be dying in the streets but there is increased respiratory and cardiovascular distress.' The Canadian Red Cross urges people to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the hottest period of the day. Drink plenty of cool fluids — even if you're not thirsty. And avoid alcohol and caffeine, as both can result in dehydration. Check regularly with the children and seniors in your life to ensure they are drinking enough water. Finally, says the Red Cross, be aware of the following signs of heat illness: dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting; headache; rapid breathing or heartbeat; extreme thirst; dark yellow urine; muscle cramps, especially in arms, legs, or stomach. Climate change made record-breaking Eastern Canada heat wave 'much more likely' Summer heatwave begins in one of world's hottest cities Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
ADVERTISEMENT Milestones Milestones – June 20 and 21, 2025 See which Maritimers are celebrating a birthday or anniversary on June 20 and 21, 2025.
Milestones See which Maritimers are celebrating a birthday or anniversary on June 20 and 21, 2025.
Vancouver Sun
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
First heat wave of 'torrid summer' to hit Eastern Canada next week
The first heat wave of Summer 2025 is about to hit Eastern Canada, with temperatures climbing to the mid-30s early next week. Add the humidity from a wet spring and it will feel even hotter. We'd better get used to it, as it is signalling 'a torrid summer ahead,' says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. 'We rarely go a year without a heat wave,' he says, 'but this will be the first one and people have to learn how to deal with it again.' The high pressure system will settle over southern and eastern Ontario as well as southern Quebec. It will edge into southeastern Manitoba on one side and western New Brunswick on the other. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Contrasting this spate of heat with the renown 'polar vortex' of winter, Phillips refers to this phenomenon as a 'Bermuda High.' That's a semi-permanent, subtropical area of high pressure , which usually migrates east-west, back and forth across the North Atlantic, influencing weather patterns. Except this one is further west and further north than usual, says Phillips. 'It circulates southern air further north.' There's no doubt it will feel oppressive, says Phillips, adding that a heat dome squeezes air molecules, pressing them downward, creating heat from the friction. Moisture from a particularly wet spring will compound with the heat. There has been 30 to 40 per cent more precipitation than normal this year, he says. During the day the humidity may make it feel like 40 degrees Celsius or more. Another factor in the mix is the sunshine. Long summer days 'prevent the cool-off,' he says. At night, it will feel tropical, with temperatures above 20 C. The Maritimes won't get the extreme heat, but temperatures will rise, particularly in western New Brunswick. Western Canada has been experiencing heat already, with many hot, dry days (made worse by wildfire smoke), he says. But, he adds, in eastern Canada, people have been asking when the warmth is going to arrive. Normally, Eastern Canada would have several days in the 30s by now, says Phillips, but there were none in May and only one in June. Contrast that with Winnipeg, which he says has had nine or 10. 'In eastern Canada, people have felt left out, on the sidelines.' But now summer heat is arriving with a vengeance. It will be a three-day event with temperatures rising to the mid-30s in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal, accompanied by nighttime temperatures in the 21-23 C range, with the humidex in the low to mid 40s . 'That's eight or nine degrees warmer than normal.' Ultimately, it seems we had better get used to this. All the weather-mapping models from Canada, the U.S. and Europe are predicting increasingly hot summers, says Phillips. 'This will be the first heat wave, but it's not going to be the last. We're going to see repetition throughout the summer.' He cautions that publicized high temperatures are measured in the shade. As a result, 'going out into the sun could add another seven to 10 degrees to the body. It's a lot of stress on the body. Too much.' It results in increased hospital admissions, he notes. 'People may not be dying in the streets but there is increased respiratory and cardiovascular distress.' The Canadian Red Cross urges people to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the hottest period of the day. Drink plenty of cool fluids — even if you're not thirsty. And avoid alcohol and caffeine, as both can result in dehydration. Check regularly with the children and seniors in your life to ensure they are drinking enough water. Finally, says the Red Cross, be aware of the following signs of heat illness: dizziness or fainting; nausea or vomiting; headache; rapid breathing or heartbeat; extreme thirst; dark yellow urine; muscle cramps, especially in arms, legs, or stomach. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
CTV News
6 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Significant increase in gas, diesel prices for all three Maritime provinces
A man is pictured holding a gas pump in Halifax on May 16, 2025. (CTV Atlantic) The price of gas and diesel increased significantly in all three Maritime provinces since last Friday. Nova Scotia The price of regular self-serve gasoline in the Halifax-area increased by 6.4 cents. The new minimum price is 145.7 cents per litre. The price of diesel increased by 15.8 cents. The minimum price is now 156.4 cents per litre. In Cape Breton, the price of regular self-serve gasoline is 147.6 cents per litre and the price of diesel is 158.3 cents per litre. Prince Edward Island The price of regular self-serve gasoline on P.E.I. increased by 7.6 cents. The new minimum price is 154.8 cents per litre. The price of diesel increased by 17.3 cents on the island. The minimum price is now 167.1 cents per litre. New Brunswick In New Brunswick, the price of regular self-serve gasoline increased by 4.7 cents. The new maximum price is 146.8 cents per litre. The price of diesel increased by 14.5 cents. The new maximum price in the province is 157.4 cents per litre.
Globe and Mail
20 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Missing Nova Scotia children were assessed by child welfare agency months before disappearance
Nova Scotia's child protection agency investigated the living conditions of Jack and Lilly Sullivan months before their mysterious disappearance in early May – a case file that has been reviewed by the minister responsible for child welfare. Scott Armstrong, Nova Scotia's Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, confirmed in an interview that the agency had a file on the children prior to their disappearance, but said it would be inappropriate for him to discuss the agency's findings. With Jack and Lilly still missing and a police investigation underway, it's not the right time to dissect the agency's prior involvement, Mr. Armstrong said. 'We have no idea where those kids are and we should be focused on helping them and finding them and supporting this family,' he said. Asked whether a review has been ordered into his agency's prior interaction with the children, he said: 'As minister, I've seen a report. I'll talk to that. I've personally seen the report. I asked for it,' he said. 'I'm aware of how our department was involved in this.' He added: 'I think we should be focused more on those kids than we are on looking to blame somebody.' Mr. Armstrong said there may come a point when the agency's involvement with the children is deserving of more scrutiny, but now – seven weeks into their disappearance – is not it. Daniel Martell, who was in a common-law relationship with the children's mother and was living with them when they went missing, told The Globe in an interview in May that a social worker with child protective services visited the home several months ago. The visit was prompted by concerns that had been relayed by someone at the children's school and related to their developmental delays, Mr. Martell said. The children's mother, Malehya Brooks-Murray, said she had 'no comment' in relation to child protective services' involvement with Lilly and Jack. Mr. Martell has said he had nothing to do with the children's disappearance and has nothing to hide. 'I'm keeping the story alive and keeping everyone's hopes up, not just my own,' Mr. Martell told The Globe in May. He also said Ms. Brooks-Murray had no involvement in the disappearance either: 'I know Malehya has nothing to do with anything.' Child welfare authorities investigate when a report of suspected abuse or neglect is received by the agency. In Nova Scotia, every person has a legal obligation to report concerns of suspected abuse or neglect of a child. The law stipulates that teachers and other childcare workers have an added duty to report. The disappearance of Jack and Lilly has prompted one of the largest ground searches in the province's history. Ms. Brooks-Murray told police that Lilly, 6, and Jack, 4, wandered away from their home in Lansdowne on May 2 while she and Mr. Martell, her then common-law partner, were sleeping. Earlier that same morning, around 6:15 a.m., she reported both children would be absent from school, according to Mr. Martell. He told The Globe Lilly had a cough and Jack was kept home as a precaution. The RCMP's major crime division, involved since day two of the search, has since seized electronic devices from the children's home, conducted polygraph tests, analyzed hours of video footage from the road outside their residence, and searched septic systems and abandoned mineshafts in the area. So far, the children appear to have disappeared without a trace. The division, whose primary role is to investigate foul play and homicides, has repeatedly said there is no evidence the children were abducted. The day after the children were reported missing, Ms. Brooks-Murray left her home in Lansdowne. She cut off contact with Mr. Martell and later changed her Facebook status to single. Nova Scotia and Ontario are the only two provinces without a Child and Youth Advocate. Both provinces rely on provincial ombudsmen to impartially investigate complaints related to child welfare; however, those watchdogs are also responsible for reviewing many other agencies and departments. The role of a Child and Youth Advocate is dedicated to advocating for and protect the rights of children. The office may also review and investigate deaths or injuries of children receiving government services. More than a year ago, Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative government introduced legislation to create a dedicated office that would be an independent voice for the rights of children, but the initiative has not moved forward. Mr. Armstrong said he is 'personally committed' to creating such an office, and hopes to be able to share more details in the fall. The minister also said his department is taking steps to reduce the workload of child welfare staff, including improving recruitment efforts for new social workers and adding administrative roles to reduce paperwork done by front-line employees. On Thursday, the province announced a reward of up to $150,000 for anyone who comes forward with information about the missing children.
