Hamilton breaks heat record for April at 28 C
Environment Canada is reminding residents to put on sunscreen and stay hydrated
Hamilton is in a rare April heat wave, along with most of southwestern Ontario, but Environment Canada says it's too early for summer weather to stay.
On Thursday, temperatures reached a high of 28 C in Hamilton, around 18 degrees higher than the yearly average of 10.6 C.
The temperature breaks the record for the hottest April 13 from 1977, which was 26 degrees.
Steven Flisfeder, meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CBC Hamilton this is about the fifteenth time the agency has seen multiple days with over 20 degree weather in April since Canada began recording temperatures across the country in 1948.
The City of Hamilton says it wouldn't be turning on city water fountains this week but is looking into doing so in coming weeks.
"Typically, staff wait until the forecast calls for two weeks of consistent double digit temperatures, typically around May 1, in order to avoid possible damage to infrastructure due to low overnight temperatures and freezing lines," said city parks and cemeteries manager Kara Bunn.
Flisfeder said there is a high pressure system around the lower Great Lakes, into eastern Quebec, causing clear skies along with the hot temperatures.
"But on the flip side, once we get to the latter half of this weekend, we're expecting a cold front to make its way through," Flisfeder said, adding that there will likely be rain and possibly some snow next week.
He said while the heat is here, people should remember to protect their skin by covering up or wearing sunscreen, remember to wear sunglasses and stay hydrated.
Other Ontario cities also broke records this week.
Environment Canada data indicated that by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Toronto's temperatures reached 26.3 C, making it the hottest April 12 on record there since 2001, when Toronto experienced a warm day that topped 25.8 C.
A 78-year-old daily heat record was broken Thursday in Ottawa when temperatures there reached 27 C.
A high of 27 C is expected Friday in Hamilton, followed by a high of 22 on Saturday and Sunday, before a dip down to 7 C Monday.
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With files from CBC News