Staying Safe in Hot Weather

Prolonged or extreme heat can affect your health in different ways, including heat stress, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Symptoms of heat illness can range from mild to severe. To help ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents, the City of Toronto activates a Heat Relief Strategy from May 15 to September 30.

What is a Heat Warning and how does the City respond to them?

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issues Heat Warnings when forecasted daytime highs are ≥31°C and overnight lows are ≥20°C, or the Humidex is ≥40. Warnings are typically issued the afternoon before impacts are expected and remain in effect until terminated by ECCC.

When a Heat Warning is issued, the City activates enhanced heat relief measures, including:

Expanding public communications and media updates
Extending hours at select public facilities
Enhancing street outreach and shelter supports
Offering drinking water resources in priority locations

What can I do when there is a Heat Warning?

Spending time in a cool space is one of the most effective ways to protect your health during heat waves. A key component of the City’s strategy is the Heat Relief Network, also known as Cool Spaces Near You, with more than 500 publicly accessible locations across Toronto, including libraries, community centres, civic centres, senior centres and pools. Residents can find nearby locations using the Cool Spaces Near You map at toronto.ca/heat or by contacting 311.

How can residents stay safe and cool when there is poor air quality?

Following poor air quality during the 2023 wildfire season, the City piloted Cleaner Air Spaces. These spaces are equipped with high-efficiency filtration (MERV-13 rating or higher) and are air-conditioned. Residents can access these Cleaner Air Spaces – located at Toronto City Hall, Metro Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre – to seek relief during wildfire smoke events during the summer.

Find ways to keep cool at toronto.ca/heat.

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