Temperature advisories were in effect in parts of Ontario and the Prairie provinces again Tuesday, with more intense heat in the forecast.
In southern Manitoba, where humid air is making the temperature feel like 40C in places, many residents were staying indoors. A dinosaur fossil excavation was cancelled in the town of Morden, while at least one homeless shelter in Winnipeg was distributing sunscreen, lip balm and water bottles to its clients.
Environment Canada says the unusually warm conditions are due to a weather system in the United States that's raising temperatures as it pushes north.
In Ontario, residents were experiencing a brief reprieve from days of high heat and humidex readings as temperatures were expected to remain in the low 30s across much of the province.
Despite the relative reprieve, however, heat alerts were in effect in Toronto and Middlesex-London. During a heat alert the public is encouraged to call or visit family and friends who are at a greater risk of suffering from heat-related illnesses, such as isolated adults and seniors.
Residents in southern and eastern Ontario could also be in store for smoke drifting down from the northwest, where crews are battling dozens of wildfires.
High heat and humidity were expected to return across southern parts of the province by Wednesday, and record-breaking temperatures forecast for Thursday.
And in the West, the warm weather helped Albertans to set a new a record for peak summer consumption on Monday. The Alberta Electric System Operator said that 9,552 megawatts of power were burned at 3 p.m., as the thermometer hit 37 degrees in some areas. The previous record was set on Aug. 18, 2008.
Saskatchewan also set a new peak power consumption record for July on Monday, as residents cranked up air conditioners and fans to beat the heat. The new record is just shy of the all-time provincial record, which was set during a bitter cold snap in December 2009.
South of the border, high temperatures have plagued residents from Texas all the way to North Dakota. The mercury surpassed 37C in many areas on Monday, prompting 17 states to issue heat watches.
With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
