Heat warning in effect for Montreal

Warm and humid air streaming north into southern Quebec will make it feel close to 40C in Montreal. (AccuWeather.com)

Some of the warmest air this summer is streaming north into southern Ontario and Quebec. It has been hot right across the country with temperatures well into the 30's and even pushing 40C (104F) in western Canada. Montreal officially managed 29C (85F) at Trudeau Airport on Sunday but it was well over 30C in most other locations away from the typically cooler airport. The high temperature reached 31.5C (88F) at my home on L'Ile Perrot, as well as in St Anicet, Ottawa and Cornwall.

As the heat and humidity continues to build in the east, heat warnings have been issued across Ontario and southwest Quebec. Typically they are posted when a combination of the warm temperatures and elevated humidity make it feel warmer than 40C. It will be that way to start the week for Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. Hazy sunshine will dominate the weather with perhaps some scattered thunderstorms by Wednesday. High temperatures will range from 30 to 35C (86 to 95F) across the region. Overnight lows will remain warm near 21C (70F). We can expect these conditions through Thursday.

A massive wildfire burning out of control near Oliver, B.C has forced hundreds of evacuations.
(Photo via twitter @stucktweet)

B.C. Wildfires
In British Columbia, the hot and bone dry weather has been accompanied by sporadic lightning. Numerous major wildfires have developed over the last week including the Rock Creek fire near Oliver, B.C. This fire, which may have been started by a single cigarette, has consumed more than 3,750 hectares and is 0 percent contained. The fire has forced the evacuations of more than 600 residents and destroyed 30 homes. Since April over 1600 fires have been reported in tinder dry B.C., most of those in the southern interior and Okanogan Valley. The fires have burned over 290 square kilometers. Fires are also burning in neighbouring Washington Sate. Some relief in the weather is expected this week with cooler temperatures and lighter winds as well as less lightning.