Hot weather and heat warnings
Peel Region's Medical Officer of Health issues heat warnings and extended heat warnings upon notification from Environment and Climate Change Canada that heat thresholds have been met.
As defined by Ontario's Ministry of Health, heat warnings are issued when there are 2 or more consecutive days of:
- Daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 31 C or higher and overnight temperatures are 20 C or higher.
OR - Humidex values that are expected to reach 40 C or higher.
Extended heat warnings are issued when heat warnings last for 3 or more days.
Stay informed and sign up for free, current weather alerts by downloading the WeatherCAN app.
Environment and Climate Change Canada also provides information on public alerts for weather, the humidex and the UV Index.
Extreme heat conditions
When there are extreme heat conditions, try to stay cool, hydrated and pay attention to how you and those around you feel.
Call or visit family, friends, and neighbours, especially seniors who live on their own.
People can suffer heat-related illnesses when their body temperature quickly rises, and they are unable to cool themselves. The risk of heat-related illness increases with the amount of time spent in the heat, the temperature and an individual's sensitivity to heat.
Learn more about heat-related illnesses, including signs and symptoms and what to do if experiencing heat-related illness. Find out who is at higher risk of heat-related illness.
Resources to help protect you and your family from extreme heat
- How to protect yourself from the health effects of extreme heat
- Sun safety basics
- First aid advice for sunburn and heat illness
- Facts on fluids – how to stay hydrated
- Seniors: protect yourself from extreme heat
Heat Vulnerability Index maps
Heat is one of the top 5 climate-related health hazards affecting Peel residents.
Peel Public Health developed Heat Vulnerability Index maps to identify areas in Peel that are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. These maps provide information on:
- How hot it gets in different areas.
- Who is more likely to be impacted by heat.
- How well people can cope with the heat based on factors like temperature, vegetation cover, health status, and social determinants of health.