Record-breaking Canada Day storm floods Ottawa; heat waves sweep eastern Canada
Severe thunderstorms dumped 118 mm of rain on Ottawa on July 1, breaking 9-year records and cancelling national celebrations. Simultaneous heat waves are gripping much of central and eastern Canada with temperatures well above seasonal norms.
The Storm and Its Impact
Environment Canada reported a total of 118 millimetres in Ottawa on July 1, making it one of the rainiest days in July on record. Ottawa Airport reported at least 111 mm of rain on Wednesday, breaking the record for the most rain ever reported in a single July day. The previous record was 79 mm back on July 24, 2017.
Hazardous conditions resulted in the cancellation of Ottawa's National Canada Day Evening Show, as well as the fireworks display. Damaging wind gusts were common from cottage country through southwestern Ontario, knocking down trees and power lines. Ottawa's international airport weather station reported 99 millimetres of rain in fewer than four hours as of 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, and at mid-day Thursday, about 41,000 local customers were without power.
Heat Wave Conditions
A destructive "heat dome" is gripping large areas of Canada, triggering persistent extreme heat across the country, with millions of Canadians currently under heat alerts. The humidex peaked at 43 on Wednesday before the storms, and the dangerously hot weather is expected to last into the weekend in much of eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, Kingston and Cornwall.
What This Means for Foreigners
If you're arriving in Canada or living in Ontario and Quebec during summer, expect extreme weather to become more common. Prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, and first aid supplies. Download the WeatherCAN app for real-time alerts and follow municipal guidance during storms. If renting, discuss renters insurance coverage for storm damage with your landlord. Heat waves require special precaution—find air-conditioned community spaces (libraries, malls, cooling centres) beforehand, stay hydrated, and check on elderly neighbours.
Sources
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