A heat warning in southern Ontario has people in the Greater Toronto Area seeking relief in urban parks on Monday, with humidex values making it feel as warm as 43 C in some regions.
Jim Earl and his partner made sure to wake up early Monday morning to play tennis and go for a run before it got too hot outside.
"We're doing our last bit of exercise for the day, doing some shopping, and then that's it, we're in," he said later in the morning at Toronto's man-made Sugar Beach, adding that he plans to stay inside the rest of the day.
Earl spent a considerable amount of time in Muskoka last winter with plentiful snow and temperatures hovering around -25 C, something he said makes him appreciate the summer heat more.
"We all remember what it was like in the winter," he said. "I'd rather have this so don't complain and just be smart about it."
Dozens of Toronto residents were walking alongside shaded sidewalks, enjoying lunch at patios and sitting on public wooden benches along Lake Ontario on Monday afternoon.
Environment Canada warned the multi-day heat event that began Sunday would have daytime temperatures ranging between 30 to 33 C.
Nighttime low temperatures are expected to be around 19 to 21 C, providing little relief from the blistering heat, the weather agency said.
Heat is expected to last through Tuesday evening, with the hottest conditions expected on Monday, Environment Canada said, adding that cooler temperatures on Wednesday will likely bring an end to the heat event.
The heat warning covers all parts of southern Ontario, stretching from along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in the west all the way to Cornwall in the east.
A heat warning was also issued for parts of the province last Thursday, sending temperatures into the mid-30s and similar humidex values in the 40s.
That followed a record-breaking heat event last month.
"The contrast between seeing hockey billboards and everyone walking outside in shorts and tank tops is crazy," said Raphael Calungsod, who was visiting Toronto from New York City.
Calungsod said Monday that the heat reminds him of the sort of weather conditions he experienced as a young child in the Philippines, where he was born.
"It feels like home to me, but not home to most people living on the east coast," Calungsod said. "It should not be this hot. I miss the snow."
Wren Mercado, who was also visiting Toronto from New York City, said the heat felt similar to the weather back home, though being a tourist during the heat wave was far more tiring than expected.
"I'm definitely getting tired more often, wanting to sit down, get some water, maybe a sweet, iced treat," said Mercado, adding that humidity was making conditions especially bad.
Environment Canada advises people to drink plenty of water and watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness and intense fatigue.
Other ways to beat the heat include wearing lightweight, light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing and limiting direct exposure to the sun and heat, the weather agency advises.
"I noticed that we really need to drink way more water when it's so hot and humid so I try to keep water on my bike," said Kim Worobec, who was finding some relief in the shade near Sugar Beach on Monday during her afternoon bike ride.
"I find riding my bike is great because I get a nice breeze as I ride," said Worobec, adding that she likes to enjoy the summer weather while it's here, though she has been noticing that the temperatures are hotter now than they used to be.
"We need to be vigilant with our climate change protocols," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
Vanessa Tiberio, The Canadian Press
