Heat warning issued by Environment Canada for southern Ontario

The heat warning was issued Monday morning by Environment Canada, which predicts that temperatures will rise above 30 degrees in the daytime, forecast to reach 32 degrees although with the humidex it will feel closer to 39 degrees.

"Today we have the potential to hit 30 C for the first time in 2020," said weather specialist Lyndsay Morrison, for CTV News Toronto. "The record for today is 31.3 C, so it’s possible we could come close to tying or breaking a record." She added, "Last year we didn't hit 30 C until July 5th."

Environment Canada predicts the hot weather is likely to stay until Wednesday, if not longer. Tuesday is expected to go up to 31 degrees as well, feeling again like 39 with the humidex.

"Tuesday is looking to be particularly humid," said Morrison. "The temperature is going to be in the 30s but it might even feel close to 40."

Wednesday will be hot as well with a predicted high of 31 degrees before temperatures begin to drop down again around Thursday.

Closer to Lake Ontario, things won't be getting nearly as humid, with temperatures only expected to hit around 25 degrees over the same time period.

The average temperature in Toronto for this time of the year is about 21 degrees, making this year a lot hotter than usual for late May.

"Both April and May have been cooler than normal and all of a sudden we see the temperature swing in the other direction," said Morrison. "In the long range is looking like temperatures are going back to normal. We are getting a taste of summer but it’s not here permanently."

Environment Canada is taking this opportunity to remind people of the dangers of extremely high temperatures, telling them to stay hydrated and get lots of shade when needed. Also they are asking that people never leave their children or pets inside parked vehicles unattended.

"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," wrote Environment Canada in statement released on Monday.