A wave of heat and humidity will hit Quebec and the entire northeast of the American continent next week. With temperatures expected to be around 35°C on the thermometer and feelings approaching 45°C, this heatwave could cause a lot of headaches, particularly in classes.
Environment Canada issued a special weather forecast on Friday for the western, central and southern regions of the province. From next Tuesday to Thursday, maximum temperatures are expected to range between 30°C and 35°C, with humidex values reaching 40°C during the day. These uncomfortable conditions are expected to persist through Thursday evening.
Wednesday will be the most difficult. Environment Canada is currently forecasting a temperature of 35°C during the day and 24°C at night.
This heat wave will be caused by the arrival of an immense mass of hot air which will cover a good part of the eastern North American continent, explains Simon Legault, meteorologist at Environment Canada.
“It’s certainly a significant event for the season. We have already seen these temperatures at this time of year, but it is the humidity level which is a little hasty,” maintains the meteorologist, who believes that this series of very hot days could well cause set some temperature records, notably in Montreal.
The weather event, however, has little to do with the heat dome that hit British Columbia in 2021, causing devastating forest fires and premature deaths, nor with the current situation in Mexico, where the mercury has reaches peaks at 45°C.
“When we talk about a heat dome, people have in mind the scenario of 2021, the village of Lytton, where the temperature was close to 50 degrees, the forests burning. It will not be the same phenomenon here, both in terms of temperatures and duration,” underlines Simon Legault.
The nights will not offer much respite, however, since the mercury will remain above the 20°C mark.
“When it’s humid, temperatures drop less at night. This amplifies the risks associated with the heat, notes Simon Legault. Heat creates stress on the body. If it’s 22, 23, 24°C at night, the body rests less. This stress becomes problematic for people who are vulnerable or who work outside the home. »
It is therefore recommended to cool off to give your body a break, whether by swimming or by spending a few hours in an air-conditioned place.
Difficult end of year in schools
The situation could also be difficult for schoolchildren, whose school year ends on June 21 in most cases.
On the side of the Montreal School Service Center (CSSDM), we ensure that we do everything we can to guarantee the comfort of students and teachers during heatwaves.
“Increasingly intense heat episodes are part of our new reality as a society. The CSSDM is deploying measures to adapt, always prioritizing the safety of students and staff,” wrote a spokesperson for the organization in an email exchange with The duty.
Schoolchildren are particularly encouraged to drink water regularly and there will be more breaks.
“We are following the recommendations of Public Health and the prevention measures issued by the CNESST. Reminders of preventive measures will be given to our students and staff,” indicates the CSSDM, which adds that “almost” all of its secondary schools are equipped with an air conditioning system which will reduce the effects of extreme heat.
As for the Marguerite-Bourgeoys School Service Center, it is specified that no school closures are planned for the moment.
Students are encouraged to “hydrate adequately, [à] avoid activities requiring great physical effort and exposure to the sun,” said Mélanie Simard, communications manager.