Summer officially arrived Monday evening with the passage of a cold front poised to bring relief from hot, humid conditions. The summer solstice this year fell on June 20 at 6:34pm EDT when the sun reached its northernmost point of the equator. It appeared Sarnia-Lambton would dodge any thunderstorms in advance of the front that was ushering in cooler and drier air for the rest of the week. Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson says the first full day of summer on Tuesday will see a high temperature a little below normal.
"A daytime high of 24 C (75 F), a little bit below our normal high of 26 C for this time of year, but also on the dry side, in fact not much in the way of precipitation in the forecast through the rest of the work week and even into the first part of the weekend," says Coulson.
Coulson says long term forecasts indicate a fairly typical summer is in store in southwestern Ontario. "Overall it's indicating for both July and August, temperatures are expected to be around the long term seasonal values, maybe a little bit warmer than normal."
Environment Canada and Lambton Public Health still had heat warnings in effect Monday with temperatures reaching the low 30's and the humidex factor in the high 30's. Environmental Health Specialist Paul Buttery says we should take common sense precautions in such heat.
"Avoid going out in the sun if possible and if you're outdoors seek shade and stay out of the sun," says Buttery.
"If you're taking medication check with your health provider and ask if heat can effect the medications effectiveness, check on the elderly family members and neighbours or anybody with a disability or chronic illness and make sure they're keeping cool and well hydrated."
Buttery expected the warning would be in effect until midnight.
(With files from Stephanie Chaves) Nine cooling centres have been set up across Sarnia-Lambton.
Brooke-Alvinston: Brooke-Alvinston Municipal Office 3236 River St., Alvinston Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends
Dawn-Euphemia: Dawn-Euphemia Municipal Office 4591 Lambton Line, Rutherford Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends
Petrolia: Oil Heritage District Community Centre 360 Tank St., Petrolia Monday-Friday: 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Lambton Shores: Forest - The Shores Recreation Centre 7883 Amtelecom Parkway, Forest Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thedford - Legacy (Community Centre) 16 Allen St., Thedford Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Closed weekends
Sarnia: West Lambton Community Health Centre 429 Exmouth St., Sarnia Monday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends
The Inn of the Good Shepherd 115 John St., Sarnia Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed weekends Good Shepherd's Lodge 950 Confederation St., Sarnia Every day: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
St. Clair Township: Moore Sports Complex 1166 Emily St., Mooretown Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday June: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. July and August: 12 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
