‘Summer’s last hurrah’: Heat and humidity to hang over Hamilton until at least Thursday

Bad news, Hamilton.

You won't be beating the (insufferable) heat just yet.

But, if you can survive this bout of heat - and an extended heat warning issued by the City of Hamilton - you'll likely make it through the rest of summer, according to Dave Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada.

This may be summer's last hurrah," said Phillips in an interview Monday.

On Monday morning the city said the heat warning will remain in effect indefinitely until temperatures dip and a cancellation notice is issued.

Phillips said Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be the warmest of the stretch of hot days, with a potential for record-setting temperatures.

Heat and humidity is expected to continue into the middle of this week, with minimum daytime temperatures of 30 C to 32 C, with humidex values of 37 C to 40 C. Nighttime minimum temperatures are expected near 21 C.

The hot and humid weather is expected to stick around until at least Wednesday night.

Thursday is expected to offer some relief, with temperatures in the high 20s. Then overnight Thursday, the temperature is forecast to drop to lows in the mid-teens.

By Friday, Phillips said Hamiltonians will get a taste of more seasonable air that feels more Canadian." Temperatures could see a high of 23 C, paired with a mix of sun and cloud.

We can have the windows open, the air conditioner off," said Phillips. Come Friday, it'll be like free energy time."

Alongside the heat warning, the city and Environment Canada are warning that the forecasted weather could bring reduced air quality.

To help people stave off the heat, Hamilton has opened its cooling centres, marked by signs that say Cool Down Here," at the entrance.

With less than a month left of summer, Phillips has one piece of advice to residents who may be feeling the heat after they had all but given up on summer" after a cooler than normal" July.

We're halfway through it," he said of the spicy stretch. Grin and bear it. Endure it. It will end, but it's not going to end abruptly."

For more information about the city's response to heat warnings, go to hamilton.ca/heat.

Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com