Orange

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

Environment Canada issues yellow-level heat warning for other parts of the province

An orange-level heat warning has been issued for southern Manitoba, as the region is forecast to be hit by hot and muggy weather lasting through the weekend.

The orange-level warning — issued when widespread severe weather is likely to cause harm — blankets a large swath of southern Manitoba, stretching from the U.S. border to as far north as Winnipegosis, Environment and Climate Change Canada said in a special weather statement on Friday.

Starting Saturday, temperatures are forecast to climb to the mid-to-high 30s over the next few days, with humidex values in the mid 40s. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be particularly hot and muggy, the federal agency warned.

The extreme heat won't break much in the evenings either, as overnight lows aren't expected to drop below 16 C.

Temperatures will drop slightly on Tuesday, with daytime highs landing in the low 30s or high 20s and staying there for the rest of next week, Environment Canada said.

Further north, a yellow-level heat warning has been issued for an area covering parts of the Interlake to about Grand Rapids.

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-30s on Saturday and Sunday, with humidex values in the low 40s, Environment Canada said. Overnight lows aren't forecast to drop below 16 C.

Daytime highs will drop to the high 20s on Tuesday and will stay there for the rest of the week, according to the forecast.

Provincial health officials issued a heat advisory on Friday, warning Manitobans to take precautions to avoid heat-related illness over the weekend, including drinking lots of water and avoiding prolonged sun exposure.

People attending the Winnipeg Folk Festival this weekend should stay hydrated, regularly reapply sunscreen and seek shade or cooling sites, the province said.

Watch out for signs that you might be overheating, like headaches, dizziness, confusion, a rapid and weak pulse, or red, hot and dry skin, officials said.

Winnipeg Folk Festival kicks off as days of 30 C heat approach

Prolonged period of heat coming to southern Manitoba, Environment Canada says

Winnipeggers can cool off at civic facilities and community centres during regular operating hours as temperatures climb in the city over the weekend, the city said in a news release.

People can go to city libraries and leisure centres to beat the heat, or visit an indoor pool or outdoor spray pad. Eight community centres across Winnipeg are available as cooling spaces during select hours, according to the city's website.

Clean drinking water is available at any of the city's nine hydration stations, largely located in the downtown area.

Lauren Scott is a Winnipeg-based reporter with CBC Manitoba. They hold a master’s degree in computational and data journalism, and have previously worked for the Hamilton Spectator and The Canadian Press.