A stretch of hot, sunny weather is settling over Mississippi Mills, Ontario, this week, with temperatures climbing well above seasonal norms and prompting the municipality to keep its cooling centres open.
According to The Weather Network, daytime highs will reach 28 to 29 degrees Celsius through Thursday, cooling to around 26 degrees by the weekend. With humidity, it will feel more like 30 to 33 degrees, and humidex values could hit 35 at times. The UV index is rated very high at 8, meaning sun protection is essential for anyone spending time outside.
The Municipality of Mississippi Mills opened four cooling centres on June 30, responding to forecasts that originally called for highs between 28 and 32 degrees and humidex values of 35 to 40. Those centres remain available during regular hours at the John Levi Community Centre on Bridge Street in Almonte, the Almonte Branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library on High Street, the Stewart Community Centre on MacFarlane Street in Pakenham, and the Pakenham Branch of the Mississippi Mills Public Library, also on MacFarlane.
Environment Canada notes that while most days this week will be dry, there is a 30 to 40 percent chance of afternoon showers on Thursday, which could bring brief relief. Residents are advised to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and limit strenuous activity to cooler morning or evening hours.
The Mississippi River watershed, which faced severe drought last September with streamflow dropping below 30 percent of normal summer levels in some areas, has since recovered. The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority reported in January that rainfall and snowfall had returned to seasonal norms, ending the low water advisory.
