Just time for a quick post:

Those were indeed a powerful set of thunderstorms that caused all the outages around Chicago, leaving more than 800,000 customers without power: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-power-out-20110712,0,4999093.story 

To the east and south of the cold front it stays hot and humid. Toronto hit 33.5c, making it the hottest day of the summer thus far. Washington, DC should see a high of 101f today with heat indices around 110f. Bleugh.

Looking like many days of hot sunny weather in Toronto that something UK really lost it for good.  We are already in mid summer and felt like Autumn here already.  It even very difficult to get an 80F just for 1 day nowadays.

Hi all, really quick post as it's all go as usual here in work. Was in T.O. for the Indycar race on Sunday, won by Dario Franchiti which was nice, cloudy and fairly muggy at 29c in Exhibition Place by the Lakeshore. Was 30c briefly on Sunday in Hamilton as well as a light shower which barely coated the ground it was so warm.

32.4c or 90f in old money, our first of the year in the Hamilton area yesterday. Not as high a you report on T.O. Graeme. 30c currently but turning more humid, humidex reading of 37 last i looked. Staying very warm if not hot for the rest of the week with the small outside chance of a Thunderstorm.

It really is wonderful summer weather right now around here.

Watched coverage of the home run derby Graeme last night, what absolute fun - never laughed so much at Baseball in some time, did you see the guys running for a catch then plunging into the jacuzzi with the girls? Utterly mad, but brilliant!!! As for the Jays, the break hopefully will do them good and re-charge the batteries. They've really just been treading water recently, very inconsistant unfortunately. However not as bad as Toronto F.C. the other night, who managed not 1 shot at goal during the entire game and lost 2-0, throw in the singer missing some words to 'Oh Canada' before the game and it wasn't exactly a success!!

A/C is now on full! Take Care

A week's holiday for me starts at 5pm and how I wish I was boarding a flight for Toronto!

A lovely airmass into Southern Ontario right now with highs in the 27c/28c range and no real humidity. It's going to warm up over the weekend into the low 30s, but the worst of the heat (at least for th etime being) will be further west. The Midwest of the States in particular is in for some real nasty heat and dangerous humidity over the next few days.

The high 90s and >100f heat will push north from the southern Plains, so that 100f heat may start to threaten the likes of Minneapolis and Chicago. We're also talking the mid 30s celsius for parts of the Prairies into Northern Ontario.

From the NWS (http://www.weather.gov/):

... DANGEROUS HEAT WAVE EXPECTED...

.A LARGE AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO SETTLE OVER THE CENTRAL PLAINS THIS WEEKEND BRINGING HOT AND HUMID CONDITIONS TO THE REGION. TEMPERATURES WILL GRADUALLY CLIMB THROUGH THE 90S ON SATURDAY AND REACH THE LOW 100S MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. HIGH HUMIDITY LEVELS COMBINED WITH THE HOT TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WITH HEAT INDEX VALUES RANGING FROM 105 TO 115 DEGREES DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS.

 Accuweather's take on it: http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/52448/scorching-weekend-heat-just-th.asp 

Much as I am disappointed with the poor summer weather over here, I wouldn't want to swap it for that, I must admit.

This morning show some more hot weather for Toronto and that normal because it now on the peak of the summer from mid July to mid August before it start cooling down slowly.  Just wish UK does the same with mid to high 20's with few times in the low 30's.  It even very difficult to get a 24C or 25C temps which is classed as warm British summer day.

Death Valley had experiencing some unseasonal cool weather that reached only 40C 105F yesterday for the first time I seen it in July when the average max is 47C and min is around 35C but been around 29-30C lately, rarely go below 43C during July so most of the normal heat there had moved to central USA where Chicago and Toronto enjoying their high summer temps.  Overall I find this year the coolest year for Death Valley temps data on my file since I started recording it from in early 2000's.

Yes so far this summer it's been the heartland of the US, east of the continental divide that's seen the hottest conditions relative to the average. This week that theme will continue as a large ridge of high pressure expands northwards taking the heat into the Northern Plains, Southern Prairies of Canada and then through the Great Lakes and into the east.

I think we can look for 100f/38c or thereabouts, as far north as Minneapolis and Winnipeg. Accompanying the heat will be not just unpleasant but dangerous humidity. The NWS have warnings out accordingly.

Very hot for Southern Ontario today with highs projected at 34c for Toronto (by EC) and 35c by TWN. It will cool off a bit for a day or two before the mid-30s heat returns late week.

Will try to keep the thread updated with regard to the heatwave this week. I'm on holiday but currently laid low with a throat infection!

Hope you get better soon.  Interesting to see how high the temps in Toronto will get.  You see how the Jet stream over N America are allowing free flow of heat to move to those regions which UK can get if the Jet stream does exist to push the HP toward us and into the east to give us hot flow.   

Hi all, well hopefully your throat gets better soon Graeme and enjoy your holidays. Certainly classified now i'd say as a heatwave across many Northern & Eastern parts of N America and locally indeed the City of Hamilton now has a Heat warning out for dangerous levels of humidity and heat related problems as a result. Currently 32c/90f in Dundas, Humidex is 39 (it's 34c/93f in Toronto at this hour with humidex over 40!) that is hot for Downtown T.O.

31c/88f here yesterday, alot of cloud with the rise in humidity making it feel appressive to some - not great sunbathing weather although Lakeshore communities have been packed out all weekend with people flocking to the cooler waters. Here's EC's latest Humidex advisory for parts of the GTA :

Humidex advisory
Updated by Environment Canada at 11:31 AM EDT Sunday 17 July 2011.

Humidex advisory continued for..
City of Toronto
Windsor - Essex - Chatham-Kent
Sarnia - Lambton
Elgin
London - Middlesex
Simcoe - Delhi - Norfolk
Dunnville - Caledonia - Haldimand
Oxford - Brant
Niagara
City of Hamilton
Halton - Peel
York - Durham
Huron - Perth
Waterloo - Wellington
Dufferin - Innisfil
Grey - Bruce
Barrie - Orillia - Midland
Belleville - Quinte - Northumberland
Kingston - Prince Edward
Peterborough - Kawartha Lakes
Stirling - Tweed - South Frontenac
Bancroft - Bon Echo Park
Brockville - Leeds and Grenville
City of Ottawa
Gatineau
Prescott and Russell
Cornwall - Morrisburg
Smiths Falls - Lanark - Sharbot Lake
Parry Sound - Muskoka
Haliburton
Renfrew - Pembroke - Barry's Bay
Algonquin
Burk's Falls - Bayfield Inlet.

Hot and humid conditions expected over all of Southern Ontario today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
==discussion==
Other than areas close to the Great Lakes and large inland lakes,
increasing humidity and temperatures will result in day time high
temperatures in the 30 to 35 degree range today with maximum humidex
values from 40 to 42.  Minimum temperatures tonight will remain above
the 20 degree mark with humidex values above 30.

The hot, hazy and humid conditions will continue over Extreme
Southwestern Ontario for the next few days with no relief in sight.
However, the rest of Southern Ontario will get some temporary relief
as a weak cold front moves through tonight and Monday morning.

Current indications strongly suggest that the high heat and humidity
will return to all of Southern Ontario by the middle of the upcoming
week and continue into the upcoming weekend.

During times of high heat and humidity, it is critical to stay
properly hydrated by drinking Plenty of fluid like water or juice.
Strenuous outdoor activities should be scheduled during the early
morning or evening hours.  Wear loose fitting, light weight clothing.
Spend as much time as possible in air conditioned places.  Stay out
of the sun and never leave elderly, children or pets unattended in a
car.

Although not as hot as Chicago etc for the coming period, local officials are very concerned about the prolonged period of hot and humid conditions. There is also a risk of scattered Thunderstorms overnight tonight and again later tomorrow associated with a weakening cold front. There could be dry lightning from this, which can create fire danger and after such a wet Spring, believe it or not the Greater Hamilton Area is on for one of it's driest July's on record as things stand.

As the advisory says, maybe cooling a touch for Hamilton & Toronto Mon/Tue before the humidex rises and the hot weather comes back, EC estimating high's (Air temp) of 33c for Hamilton on Friday as things stand.

An exceptional spell of dry, hot and increasingly humid weather continues even if it's not wall to wall sunshine. High summer in Southern Ontario has arrived this year well and truely.

Take Care

Big contrasts are usual across the continent but very extreme now with some areas extremely wet and others in severe drought.


On the ground some waterways are running at peak flow which normally occurs at spring melt

Interesting read and yes that how it should be and not in mid-Autumn that UK are in at the moment that really wasting our precious time for heatwaves while the sun are still very high enough.  I find the humidity in Chicago was very strong which made you feel hotter than in Los Angeles as they have very dry air mass and very cool nights.

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html

Amazing heatwave with temps up to 37C forecasted on Thursday, very very interesting and if London get the same prolonged heatwave like this we would be looking at 28-33C values.  Such a big wasted oppourtunity for us when we are still in high summer.

It now 14th day without rain and on the record for the driest month so far. 

Thanks guys. If anything I feel worse this morning so sitting looking at NA conditions is about all I'm capable of.

35.2c was the max at Toronto Pearson yesterday, which I think makes it the warmest day since August 1st, 2006 (36.6c). It's currently 26c at 5am local time!

Here's a nice article from Accuweather focusing on some of the record heat this Summer, especially over the Southern Plains of the US: http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/2011-heat-superlatives_2011-07-15 

Along with the drought chart posted above it really tells the story of the first part of Summer 2011.

How the landscape conditions now there? semi-parched or nearly parched now?  Miss those in here since April and it does look very neat and clean without overgrown weeds around.

Hello all

Many apologies for being offline again for so long. We're still in the process of moving house and I'm a bit lacking in time and a reliable internet connection.

Anyway, it's hot. Really, really hot. With great timing I chose yesterday to hire a van as part of our move and spend 10 hours in the sun lugging heavy furniture about as part of our move. Not sure what the high was here but it was definitely into the 30s with an occasional gusty warm wind. It was pretty brutal, it's amazing how quickly you lose fluid doing any sort of exercise at those temperatures. Not sure I really drank enough during the day as this morning I feel a little hungover, but I haven't had a drink for a few days..

There is no let up in sight either. Looking at the 2 week Accuweather forecast, all the days are in the high 20s or over 30, and all of them have a humidex in the 30s. Thurs/Fri this week have a high of 36C (humidex 39C) with the warning "extreme heat can be dangerous for outdoor activities" . Air con is an absolute must in these temperatures. I don't find it necessary to run it 24/7 but by late afternoon the heat can really build inside if the sun has been beating down on the roof for a number of hours, and the top floor of a house can get revolting until you crank up the A/C. A pool is also good  

The other major weather point so far this month is the almost complete lack of rain. I don't think it's really rained here for 3 weeks. There hasn't even been a thunderstorm (and a huge storm would be very welcome right now). Ground is rock hard, and any grass area that's not getting regularly sprinkled is looking pretty parched.

It's actually a little cloudy today (which is the first significant cloud for a few days, perhaps a storm finally coming?), but already warm. 

It the same experience in the top 2nd floor apartment in Chicago get baking hot in the afternoon when the sun come to the large typical windows with sashes on both end that only open half way than some windows in other houses/apts that can be fully swing open.  AC usually come on in late pm and take a while to cool down then it stay on until early morning.  I miss using those AC units which make you know that summer outside are real, Nothing here are warm enough to use the electric fans which been sitting on idle for 5 years, only few times being used compare to frequent use in pre-2006 summers.

The water's a bit cold at Yosemite National Park at the moment.

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/weather/maps/city?PLZ=_____&PLZN=_____&LANG=en&CEL=C&SI=mph&CONT=namk&LAND=CA&REGION=0014&WMO=z1625&R=0&LEVEL=210&NOREGION=1

Hi folks, positivally cold 28c or 82f right now in Dundas under Sunny skies and less humidity after three days of exceptionally hot weather with 33c recorded (91f) on Sunday and 32/90f yesterday and a humidex yesterday of 41. No storms in the end arrived in the Hamilton area just a cloud passage and it is comparitivally fresher today but all that will once again go out the window come tomorrow.

Here's EC's latest weather statement and advisory in part :

''More importantly, high heat and humidity is expected to return to all
of Southern Ontario by Wednesday, reaching a peak on Thursday when
temperatures are expected to soar into the record-breaking mid to
high thirties in many areas.  Conditions will be particularly hot in
Southwestern Ontario as well as around Toronto where readings close
to 38 degrees will combine with the humidity to create a humidex in
the mid forties.  It will continue hot on Friday and into the
upcoming weekend for most of southern and Eastern Ontario with
temperatures reaching the low to mid thirties.  It will be the
combination of the duration of the heat along with warm overnight
conditions which makes this heat event particularly significant.''

The City of Hamilton has continued it's heat alert during this small interlude and the expected temps over the next five days or so will also make this spell record-breaking locally and as EC report nationally or at least state-wide.

We're looking at just over 30c for tomorrow but as the heat builds big-time into Thursday, currently forecasting 38c on Thur or the big 100f WOW!!! That alone as an air temp if it occurred would be my highest ever daytime temp for my time in Canada, or indeed anywhere i've experienced in the world. Previous highest was set during my holiday here in June 2005 where it reached 37c with a humidex of 43.

But with humidex levels expected to reach possibly 45 or even upto 50, some say (maybe T.O.?) 45 is 115f equivilant, 50 is 122f not sure what smiley to use for those temps, but that would be incredible. On par, probably with the Valentine's Day Two Day Blizzard in Feb 2007 as the singlemost amazing weather event around here.

All eyes then on Thursday, even at night, records will be smashed across the GTA with expected temps around here of 25c/77f maybe 28-30c in Toronto overnight!

After Thursday, staying hot and humid the odd outside chance as the weekend comes of an isolated Thunderstorm. Like Paul said, very dry around here now and a/c yes, defo a must and on all day for me right now.

Hopefully i've painted a picture of just how amazing this weather is right now around here. A summer definately to remember. Will post update on temps at some point tomorrow.

Phew

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/on-143_metric_e.html

Very interesting to see how high you will get Stewart on Thursday.  If this heatwave was in London which we should be having after a hot April to see around 35C here. 

Afternoon all,

Still posting from my sickbed unfortunately but starting to feel better. Not been much of a holiday thus far!

A very interesting couple of days ahead, especially as Southern Ontario is really the focal point of this thread. As of this morning EC is forecasting a high of 37c in Toronto (all readings Pearson) while TWN is going for 38c. Just to put this in context the last time a high over 37c was recorded at Pearson was in August of 2001 (37.9c on 8th Aug, 2001). Here's the list of >37c years:

2001 (37.9c)

1988 (37.6c)

1949 (37.2c)

1948 (38.3c)

So as you can see any reading over 37c is rare indeed, although having trawled back through the records highs over 35c are not that uncommon. The all-time high temperature record for Toronto (not Pearson) was recorded back in the dustbowl era of the 1930s (40.6c on 8th July 1936).

Let's see what tomorrow brings - was planning to watch the Jays/Mariners day game tomorrow - wonder if they will close the roof because of the heat?

I will be following Toronto weather data tomorrow which is far more interesting to see.

They may well close the roof Graeme, get that a/c cranked up! Interesting stats that you posted, looks highly likely that somewhere in the GTA will see over 37c tomorrow, maybe touching 40c in local spots. Update as far as temps go is, currently 32c/90f in Sunny spells (humidex currently 39). Air temp should continue to rise as the SW tropical wind develops further over the next few hours, might touch 34c (Humidex of 42).

Tonight, 25c/77f - exceptionally warm overnight values. Without checking my own stats back in the house, definately one of the warmest if not the warmest ever potential night-time temp for my time in Dundas, at least! Tomorrow, as Graeme reports EC going for 37c now also in Hamilton but still well into the 40s in terms of humidex, somewhere right now between 44-46c very likely. Tomorrow night, similar overnight values to tonight.

It cools very slightly into the weekend and indeed by Sunday the chance of showers increases to 40%. Temps still into the 90sF however. Slightly cooler nights also.

And, we actually got a Dry Thunderstorm last night afterall. A couple of claps and bolts around 9-10pm, very little rain if nothing at all noted. Even mother nature is now confused by Ontario's current tropics weather pattern!

Take Care

Was 35.5C and 19.9C in Toronto yesterday and if London got the same heatwave but normally 4C cooler than Toronto would worth 31.5C and 15.9C at night. 

My guess proved correct as they will close the roof of the Rogers Centre today for the game against the Mariners. First time in its 23 year history it will be closed for heat: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110720&content_id=22070118&notebook_id=22072094&vkey=notebook_tor&c_id=tor 

Let's see what today brings then in terms of temperatures in Southern Ontario. EC, along with TWN now predicting 38c again for Toronto Pearson. It's currently 27c at 6am at Pearson. Another place to watch is Windsor, right down in extreme SW Ontario (across from Detroit) - forecast high is 39c there.

Looks like it will definitely be classified as a heatwave (in Canada this is 3 or more days with highs of 32c or more). Real concerns about power supply: http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1028033--soaring-temperatures-to-test-city-s-power-supply?bn=1 

More later...