The mercury is rising, records are falling

The heat wave that is sweeping Quebec and which will continue until Friday has shattered several records in different regions, while the authorities are worried about the impact on the population.

“Heat records were set Wednesday in several cities, including Chibougamau, Matagami, Fermont, Rimouski, the Matapédia Valley and Gaspé,” said André Cantin, meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

In Gaspé, 32.6°C was recorded during the day. The daily record was 26.5°C and was set in 1992.

It is also 32°C that was recorded in Sept-Îles, and 34°C in Chibougamau.

In Sainte-Agathe, in the Laurentians, temperatures of 31 ° C were recorded in the afternoon, which sets a new record, said Mr. Cantin.

The temperature in Montreal could break a record on Thursday: 33°C is announced. The record for a 1^er June, which dates back to 1892, is 31.7°C.

“The Humidex factor is relatively low, so if you’re indoors, you avoid most of the heat,” added Mr. Cantin. For older people without air conditioning, it can be harder to bear. It is recommended to go to air-conditioned places for an hour or two to cool off and drink plenty of water, and for everyone to avoid strenuous outdoor activities. »

Efforts to mitigate the heat wave

In Montreal, the criteria for triggering the “heat wave plan” of civil security are not currently met, but the City still fears the effects of the weather on the most vulnerable.

The City of Montreal will activate more water games, distribute water bottles and open air-conditioned places to deal with the current heat wave.

“The Montreal Civil Security Center has recommended that the boroughs and related cities expand their service offer in terms of water games and air-conditioned facilities,” said the City of Montreal in a press release. This center “will provide bottles of water to a dozen community organizations involved in street work so that they can distribute them to vulnerable people in public spaces”.

In the morning, Mayor Valérie Plante had established a link between the current heat and global warming.

The City of Montreal is ready in the event of a heat wave, reiterated Valérie Plante.

“It’s early in the year, so some pools are open, others are not, for reasons often related to human resources,” added the mayor.

Tourists happy with the good weather

In Old Montreal on Wednesday, many tourists were enjoying the good weather, although many said they were surprised by the heat.

Patrick Detrieux, a Frenchman who resides in Vichy, in the center of the country, had planned his trip to North America before the pandemic.

“It is certain that we expected temperatures rather around 20°C, whereas it is around 30°C. It’s surprising, he said. It already looks like summer temperatures. »

Maheen Subair, a resident of Mississauga, Ontario, was delighted with his stay in Montreal with his family.

“We came to Canada from India in 2018, and visiting Montreal was one of our dreams,” he said. I find the city beautiful, with its historic buildings. I’m not worried about the temperature, although it’s warmer than I expected. »

Anthony F., a resident of Ottawa, explained that it was precisely because the weather was good that he chose to make a four-day stay in Montreal. “We came at the last minute because they announced so beautiful,” he said.

Back to normal

Meteorologist André Cantin notes that the very high temperatures will not extend over time. “Already on Friday evening, the north-easterly winds will bring down the temperatures in the evening. »

André Monette, meteorology team leader at MéteoMédia, reports that the heat is coming from the west of the country. “It’s very hot for this week, but we’re heading towards normal temperatures, and even below normal in the most affected regions, because of the cool weather coming from Labrador. »

11°C is announced for Friday in Gaspé and 10°C in Sept-Îles, he said.