Most of Quebec under heat warning

People try to beat the 30 C temperatures at Verdun Beach as Quebec is under heat warning. (Rowan Kennedy/CBC - image credit)
People try to beat the 30 C temperatures at Verdun Beach as Quebec is under heat warning. (Rowan Kennedy/CBC - image credit)

Quebecers shouldn't put their summer clothes away just yet — Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for much of the province.

The weather is hot and humid, which is forecast to last until Friday. Tuesday and Wednesday will be particularly hot with temperatures possibly exceeding 30 C and humidex values ranging from 37 to 42.

Guillaume Perron, a meteorologist at Environment Canada, said these temperatures are about 10 degrees higher than usual for this time of year. This September is expected to break heat records, he said.

A third of Montreal's outdoor swimming pools are open Monday, says city spokesperson Philippe Sabourin. He says these pools might be closed tomorrow on a case-by-case basis and suggests residents reach out to their boroughs for up to date information.

"Keeping the pools open during the fall is a puzzle for the city of Montreal," he says. "The play fountains will stay open all week."

Additionally Sabourin says some boroughs may extend their public library hours this week where people can find refuge from the heat.

Environment Canada warns that young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors have higher health risks in this weather.

It recommends people drink plenty of water and stay in a cool place.

Montrealers have been hitting Verdun beach, splash pads, and other municipal cooling facilities. Sabourin suggests people consult the city's website for more tips on how to deal with the heat wave.

Quebec City has reopened some public pools and libraries for people to cool off.