TORONTO, May 31, 2016 /CNW/ - Over the weekend, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced the launch of the new Heat Warning and Information System in Ontario. Heat events are associated with significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups, including children, seniors, the homeless, and people with chronic illnesses.
This new system streamlines the heat warning process. It will help Ontarians better understand the personal risks associated with heat events, and ways they can protect both their own health and their loved ones during heat events.
The new heat warning system is based on a combination of the latest in health science, and a detailed analysis of weather patterns in Ontario. The province has been divided into three regions: northern, southern, and extreme south-west (Windsor) area. Each region has its own updated temperature and humidex criteria.
Environment and Climate Change Canada will issue heat warnings 18 to 24 hours in advance of an extreme heat event, when two consecutive days of weather that meets or exceeds the criteria set for humidex and temperature (daytime highs and nighttime lows) are expected.
This new heat warning system will help Canadians better understand current conditions to plan their activities and protect themselves from conditions that can happen during a heat event, like sun stroke and heat exhaustion.
Related product
Heat Warning and Information System backgrounder
Associated link
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page
Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada
Contacts: Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)
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