Air conditioners have been working overtime for the last couple of days.
A hot and humid airmass is blanketing the region, prompting Environment Canada to issue a heat warning for Sarnia-Lambton.
Meteorologist Gerald Cheng said afternoon humidex values in the upper 30s to 40s are expected Monday and Tuesday, because of a circulation of hot and humid air coming from the Gulf of Mexico.
"It's coming up all the way into southwestern Ontario on the southern end of Lake Huron," said Cheng. "It's going to last a bit of time, not only today, but even into tomorrow and by midweek we will still feel that humidity. Maybe a couple degrees off and the humidex will come down a little bit, but still it's going to be hot and humid."
Cheng said we won't get a whole lot of relief during the overnight hours.
"Whenever the overnight lows stay above or around 20 degrees, then we know that it is a very hot and humid airmass."
Cheng said cooler temperatures, slightly below seasonal, are in the forecast for Thursday, Canada Day and into the weekend.
Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illness, including heat stroke.
Cheng reminds residents to drink plenty of fluids and limit time outdoors. Outdoor workers should take regularly scheduled breaks in a cool place, and people or pets should never be left inside a parked vehicle.
Lambton Public Health also issued a heat warning Monday.
“The elderly, very young and people with chronic illnesses are at higher risk of experiencing a heat-related illness,” said Dr. Sudit Ranade, Medical Officer of Health. “However, even healthy people can be affected if they participate in strenuous activities, and do not take precautions.”
The health unit said the warning is expected to remain in effect until Wednesday, June 30.
