Heat warnings issued for whole province as humidex heads toward 40

Environment Canada has issued heat warnings for the entire province as temperatures are expected to reach 31 C, feeling like 40 C in most areas.

According to the heat warnings, the high temperatures are expected to continue through to Saturday, when a cold front will provide some relief.

Meteorologist Jill Maepea said overnight temperatures will also be high, between 18 C and 22 C .

"With the heat warning, often there's not too much relief at nighttime," she said in an interview. "It can build up over time, just not being able to be away from the heat. And you can eventually see heat illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion."

Maepea said this is why Environment Canada is advising elderly and vulnerable populations to be extra careful and make sure theystay cool.People are also advisedto avoid activities during the middle of the day when it's going to be extremely hot. And if people are working outside, they should make sure they're hydrated.

CBC meteorologist Ryan Snodden saida dew point over 20 is considered "oppressive" in the Atlantic region.

"We are looking at very tropical dew points of 20 to 24 through Saturday," he said. "This muggy air is typically what you'd experience in the southern U.S. and Caribbean and that's where it's coming from."

The province also issued level 1 and 2 heat alerts, asking people tofrequently check in with vulnerable family members or neighbours.

"Connecting virtually in light of COVID-19 is encouraged," the province says on its website.

Severe thunderstorm warnings

Hot, humid weather provides all the ingredients for possible thunderstorms, Maepea said. Alongside the heat warning, EnvironmentCanadahas also issued five severe thunderstorm watchesfor southern New Brunswick. Thunder and heavy rain began late Thursday morning inSaint John and surrounding areas and was tapering off at around noon.

The watches say intense thunderstorms may produce heavy downpours, butfavourable conditions do not guarantee a thunderstorm.

"The humidity and heat go hand in hand with the chance of thunderstorms," Maepea said.

The clouds are expected to dissipate Friday, reducing the chance of thunderstorms.

Looks like August is the return of summer.- Jill Maepea, meteorologist

Maepea said these temperatures are not exclusive to New Brunswick. Heat warnings have also been issuedforsouthern Quebec, southern Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Nova Scotia because of the same warm air coming from the southern United States.

Maepea said July has been mild but summer is back.

"The last time we really saw heat like this really wasn't probably until the end of June," she said. "Looks like August is the return of summer."