It will be hot, very hot, Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Quebec and Ontario. There are so many that we have to beat some heat records. In Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa, among other places, mercury will reach 30 degrees Celsius or more.
The heat wave is relatively broad, explains Environment Canada meteorologist Jean-Philippe Bégin. In Quebec, it covers the south, west and center of the province to reach Saguenay.
It also covers southern Ontario. Although the regions near the Great Lakes do not reach mercury levels of 30 degrees Celsius, they are more of a seasonal norm.
Montreal was about to break a 129-year-old record: on May 12, 1893, it was 28.9 degrees Celsius in the metropolis.
In Gatineau, the record beat began in 1956, when it was 27.2 degrees Celsius.
” We risk breaking records wherever we reach 30 degrees. “
Records were already broken on May 11 in Gatineau, Quebec, Rimouski, Saguenay and Beauce, among others.
Typically, we reach 30 degrees at the beginning of June. But it must be said that we are three weeks late in reaching the first 20 degrees this yearputs Jean-Philippe Bégin in perspective.
Few consequences should result from a heat wave in early spring, the meteorologist confirmed, except in areas where there is snow. For example, in the Laurentides wildlife reserve and in Monts-Valin national park, snow melts very quickly.
The lack of rain reduces the risk of flooding, but rivers near Quebec and the Saguenay coming from these regions that are still covered in snow should be guarded.
Furthermore, the SOPFEU issued, then extended, a ban on open fires in or near the forest.
” It was very, very, very dry. “
The heat wave has exacerbated the dry weather in recent days, explains Jean-Philippe Bégin. He added that many factors are currently coming together to promote drying: low soil moisture, long periods of sunlight and weak winds.
Source: Radio-Canada