Multiple temperature records set as Manitoba sizzles in heat wave

Multiple temperature records set as Manitoba sizzles in heat wave

Temperatures expected to stay steamy through the week: Environment Canada

A stiflingly hot weekend set multiple records in Manitoba — and forced the cancellation of some events — and the heat wave isn't expected to loosen its grip anytime soon.

Temperatures in the mid-30s are expected Monday in the south, but humidex values will make it feel more like the mid-40s, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The weather agency has issued an orange-level heat warning across the south, and a yellow-level warning for the central part of the province where temperatures are forecast on Monday to reach the low 30s, with humidex values in the high 30s.

Parts of the north are also facing a yellow-level warning with temperatures pushing 30 C to start the week.

Daytime highs in the south will hover around the low 30s or high 20s from Tuesday on, while those in the central and northern areas are expected to stay in the high 20s, the agency says.

Seven communities set new temperature records on Sunday, and four others tied their records, according to Environment Canada:

The hottest spot in Manitoba was McCreary.

Winnipeg reached 35.3 C, with a humidex level that made it feel like 48. The record for July 12 is 37.8 C, set in 1936.

The dangerous conditions prompted Rainbow Stage to cancel its performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, which was to be the final show of the run.

Based on the forecast, the theatre company — which performs in a covered, but outdoor theatre — said in a social media post it believed it was not "safe or responsible to proceed with an outdoor performance."

People who had tickets for the performance are being given the option of a refund or transferring them to a performance of Legally Blonde The Musical, which runs Aug. 13-30.

The Corydon BIZ also cancelled the weekly Open Corydon street party event set for Sunday.

In an online post, the business improvement zone said it was cancelling Sunday's event due to the "extreme heat warning and the radiant heat on the pavement," out of concern for the health and safety of vendors, volunteers and community members.

Orange-level heat warning issued for southern Manitoba ahead of hot, muggy weekend

The City of Winnipeg's leisure centres and libraries are open as cooling areas, where the public may come in for relief from the heat and have access to drinking water during regular operating hours.

Eight community centres across Winnipeg are available as cooling spaces during select hours, according to the city's website.

Clean drinking water is also available at any of the city's nine hydration stations.

Darren Bernhardt has been with CBC Manitoba since 2009 and specializes in offbeat and local history stories. He is the author of two bestselling books: The Lesser Known: A History of Oddities from the Heart of the Continent, and Prairie Oddities: Punkinhead, Peculiar Gravity and More Lesser Known Histories.