The heat is on in Toronto, the GTA and a large swath of Southern Ontario this long weekend.
Environment Canada issued a heat warning on Saturday afternoon, calling for temperatures to hit the mid 30's, but will climb to over 40 degrees with the humidex factored in. The heat extends throughout most of Southern Ontario, all the way east to Ottawa and north to Cottage Country.
Toronto's Medical Officer of Health has since issued a heat warning as well.
"Expect hot, humid conditions, afternoon highs in the low-30's," Environment Canada meteorologist Mark Shuster told NEWSTALK1010 Sunday afternoon. "With the humidity, the humidex will be into the low-40's for both [Sunday and Monday]."
Shuster says making things even more difficult are the evening lows, which will only drop into the low to mid-20's - which won't be a huge help to people who do not have air conditioning.
While the current heat spell is expected to end on Tuesday as cooler air moves into the region, this doesn't mean the end of the heat for Toronto.
"It's hard to say at this point, but sometimes we get 30 degrees even into early October, so there's still plenty of time left for that," Shuster said. "If you recall from last summer, some of the hottest weather we had was actually at the end of September."
As with all heat warnings, seniors, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions - especially if they are cardiac or lung-related - should be staying indoors or in shaded areas as much as possible.
But even if you don't fit into one of those categories, Shuster says you need to be extra cautious this long weekend.
"If you must be outside, make sure you wear sunscreen and drink water - even before you're thirsty. Best to stay away from drinks like alcoholic beverages."
Meantime, officials have confirmed to NEWSTALK1010 that seven City of Toronto cooling centres will be open on Civic Day Monday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. You can find the full list here.
Toronto Public Health spokesperson Rajesh Benny says that while many community centres will be closed for the holiday - with the exemption being those that double as cooling centres - three of Toronto's YMCA locations will be open, including the Central location on Grosvenor Street, and locations in Canary District and in Scarborough.
Metro Hall is also open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.