Counting down to the official start of summer, Canadians in parts of the country are already sweltering in mid-summer-like conditions that have prompted heat and humidity warnings.
Environment Canada has issued a humidex advisory for a large section of both provinces where hot and humid air blowing in from the U.S. is expected to help temperatures reach near-record levels on Wednesday.
The forecast in the Montreal area, for example, is calling for a high of 33 degrees Celsius. With the humidity, forecasters warn it will feel more like 43.
And in Toronto, where the thermometer is predicted to hit 35, the city has issued its first extreme heat alert of 2012. And if conditions persist as predicted the city could officially enter its first heat wave -- defined as three or more days of 32 degree or higher temperatures -- of the year on Thursday.
Environment Canada has joined in with its own extreme weather advice, issuing a smog alert for the Greater Toronto Area and nearby cottage country, and suggesting that the elderly and others affected by chronic illnesses to avoid strenuous outdoor activity while conditions remain hot.
According to Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips, it will likely be Friday before cooler air from the north beings any relief to the region.
Temperatures are also expected to approach record levels south of the border, where the U.S. National Weather Service is warning of sweltering conditions of up to 37 degrees across the Northeast.
In an interview Wednesday morning, Phillips told Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel that Environment Canada's forecasting models suggest conditions will generally remain hotter-than-normal throughout the rest of the summer.
"In that period you'll get some times when things cool off," Phillips said, referring to the months of July and August. "But come Labour Day when we crunch our numbers we'll be showing something that looks like it was warmer than normal."
Phillips stopped short of calling for a repeat of last summer's record heat, however.
"I don't think it will be as warm as last year, " he said. "But we think it will be warmer than normal from coast to coast to coast ... and maybe drier than normal as well."
When temperatures soar, the public is asked to be especially vigilant of friends, family or neighbours who may otherwise be isolated and at-risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses.
Summer officially arrives at 7:09 p.m. ET Wednesday evening.
