Durham Region residents should prepare for a hot and humid Wednesday with showers, thunderstorms, and temperatures that could feel as warm as 35 C.
Environment Canada says the morning will be mainly cloudy across Durham, including Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and Pickering, with a 40 per cent chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms throughout the day.
Fog patches are also possible in the morning hours before winds pick up to around 20 km/h. The daytime high is expected to reach 29 C, but with humidity it will feel closer to 35 C in inland areas. Temperatures near Lake Ontario may be slightly cooler, dipping to around 18 C in lakeside communities.
Environment Canada has also issued a yellow weather alert for parts of southwestern Ontario, including Sarnia, Chatham-Kent, and Windsor, where the humidex could push past 40 C. While Durham Region is not under that alert, residents should still take precautions against the heat and stay alert for changing conditions throughout the afternoon.
The thunderstorm risk is expected to be highest during the late morning and early afternoon hours, when atmospheric instability peaks. Durham Region thunderstorms could bring brief but intense downpours, gusty winds up to 50 km/h, and occasional lightning strikes. Localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas with poor drainage, particularly in urban centres like downtown Oshawa and Whitby.
Conditions are expected to improve Wednesday evening, with partly cloudy skies and an overnight low of 21 C. Thursday’s forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud with a 60 per cent chance of showers and a high of 30 C during the day, dropping to 21 C overnight.
The Durham Region Health Department reminds residents to stay hydrated, check on elderly neighbours and those without air conditioning, and never leave children or pets in parked vehicles during extreme heat. If Durham Region thunderstorms develop, seek shelter indoors immediately and avoid open fields, tall trees, and bodies of water.
Beachgoers heading to Durham’s waterfront areas, including Lakeview Park in Oshawa and Frenchman’s Bay in Pickering, should monitor weather updates closely and be prepared to leave the water if thunder is heard or lightning is spotted.
Today’s Durham Region weather serves as a reminder that summer heat has arrived early across southern Ontario, and residents should plan outdoor activities accordingly while keeping an eye on developing weather patterns.
