Brace Yourself, Ottawa — It's Going to Feel Like 38°C
Ottawa residents are in for a muggy couple of days, as a humid air mass settles over the capital and pushes the feels-like temperature to 38°C or above. If you're planning to spend any time outdoors this week, you'll want to rethink your schedule — or at least pack a cold drink and a change of clothes.
The combination of warm temperatures and high dew points is creating the kind of sticky, oppressive heat that makes even a short walk feel like a workout. Humidity doesn't just make things uncomfortable — it can be genuinely dangerous, especially for older residents, young children, and anyone with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
What's Causing the Heat?
A high-pressure system drawing warm, moist air up from the south is responsible for the current conditions. This type of setup is common in Ottawa during early summer, when the city sits at the intersection of continental and maritime air masses. When humidity climbs alongside daytime highs, the humidex reading — the metric used to capture how hot it actually feels — can spike well past the thermometer's reading.
At a humidex of 38 or higher, Environment and Climate Change Canada typically issues heat warnings, advising residents to limit outdoor exertion during the hottest parts of the day, usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
How to Stay Cool in the City
If you need to beat the heat, Ottawa has a few options. The City of Ottawa operates cooling centres at select community centres and libraries when temperatures are extreme — check ottawa.ca for the current list of open locations. Public pools across the city, including the Brewer Park and Nepean Sportsplex outdoor pools, are a popular option for families.
For those who prefer to stay indoors, the Rideau Centre, Place d'Orléans, and other enclosed malls offer air-conditioned relief. Several Ottawa Public Library branches also serve as informal cool-down spots.
If you're commuting or working outdoors, the standard advice applies: stay hydrated, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, apply sunscreen, and never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
Relief Arrives by the Weekend
The good news: the humidity isn't here to stay. Forecasts point to a notable cooldown arriving by the weekend, as a cold front is expected to push through the region and flush out the oppressive air mass. Temperatures should drop back into a more comfortable range, with lower humidity making outdoor activities much more enjoyable.
Until then, take it easy and keep cool, Ottawa. Summer has officially arrived — and it's making sure you know it.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
