Extreme heat warning continues – cooling stations open to Sunday

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health has extended its extreme heat warning and the County’s two cooling stations – at the Prince Edward Community Centre (375 Picton Main Street) and the Wellington & District Community Centre (111 Belleville Street). Both are open from 7am to 8pm to Sunday.

Hot and humid conditions are expected to persist Friday, with daytime high temperatures between 31 and 35 Celsius. Afternoon humidex values are forecast to peak in the high thirties to low 40s.

Environment Canada forecasts a cold front, with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms, to move through the region sometime Friday night. In its wake, a cooler and less humid airmass is expected arrive for the weekend, bringing the heat wave to an end.

The public is strongly encouraged to frequently visit neighbours, friends, and older family members, especially those who are chronically ill, to make sure that they are cool and hydrated.

A heat warning is issued when there will be two consecutive days of: 31°C or more (day time) and 20°C or more night time; or Humidex values of 40°C or more. Humidex values describe how the hot and humid weather feels to the average person. It combines the temperature and humidity readings into one number to reflect the perceived temperature. The higher the humidex, the harder it is for perspiration to evaporate to cool the body.

Residents of Hastings and Prince Edward counties are warned prolonged hot and humid weather can lead to heat stroke, exhaustion, fainting, edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and muscle cramps.

Extreme heat events put everyone at risk from heat illnesses, but health risks are greatest for, older adults, infants and young children, people with chronic illnesses such as breathing difficulties or heart conditions, people who work or exercise in the heat, homeless people and people without access to air conditioning.

Symptoms 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.