Ottawans sweat during the record time of May, although it may not last much longer.
Saturday was the fourth consecutive day in Ottawa with record highs, marking the longest time above 28 degrees before May 15 in the last 100 years.
While temperatures in May were above 30 degrees Celsius before, a period like this has never happened so early, said David Phillips, a senior climatologist at Environment Canada.
“It’s something you’d expect on a dog’s summer day,” Phillips said Saturday when the temperature reached 31 C. “It’s just a temperature headache.”
For some Ottawa residents roaming the ByWard market, warm temperatures are a welcome change. The shop windows were lively and the courtyards of the restaurants were full as people took advantage.
“I feel like mid-July,” said civil servant Jamie MacDonald.
People are enjoying the pedestrian space at the ByWard Market in Ottawa on May 11, 2022, the beginning of a record hot period in the nation’s capital. (Ian Black / CBC)
Victoria Westway, meanwhile, told the CBC that she was not prepared for the heat and had not yet bought an air conditioner.
“It was snowing in April, so [I] I just didn’t expect it to be super hot now, “Westway said, adding that she had already experienced sunburn – something she usually doesn’t get until later in the summer.
He’s not here to stay
Early heat waves can be particularly uncomfortable, Phillips said, as people are not yet acclimatized to summer temperatures.
This could cause people to experience shortness of breath and potentially need medical attention, he said. In the worst case scenario, extreme heat can be deadly.
However, the hot weather will probably not stay here. Phillips said he expects “cooling” next week with possible rains and thunderstorms.
According to Environment Canada, the highest temperature on Tuesday was only 11 C, with a decent chance of precipitation.
Despite the recent rise in temperatures, Phillips says he does not expect the summer in Ottawa to be warmer than usual.
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