Environment Canada has issued a yellow heat warning for Ste. Anne and the R.M. of Ste. Anne including Richer, Manitoba, with daytime humidex values expected to feel as hot as 43 degrees Celsius by Wednesday.
The warning took effect Tuesday morning and will last for several days. Forecasters say daytime humidex readings will hit 38 to 43, and overnight lows will stay in the upper teens to low 20s, leaving little relief from the heat.
Heat warnings in southern Manitoba are issued when the weather office expects two consecutive days of highs reaching 32°C and lows around 16°C. This event is part of a larger heat wave that has kept much of southern Manitoba sweltering since mid-July, with Winnipeg recently seeing humidex values as high as 47.
Health officials remind residents that everyone is at risk during extreme heat, but the danger is higher for older adults, infants, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions like heart or lung problems. People who work or exercise outside, those without housing, and anyone with mobility or cognitive challenges are also more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The province’s Manitoba Emergency Management Organization urges people to drink plenty of water, check on neighbours who may need help, and avoid hard outdoor work during the hottest afternoon hours. Anyone needing health advice can call Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257.
The 2021 Western North America heat dome, which killed 619 people in British Columbia, showed how deadly extreme heat can be. Manitoba also broke temperature records during that event, and officials stress that even moderate-level heat warnings should be taken seriously.
The R.M. of Ste. Anne, home to about 5,600 people including 607 in Richer, is a partly rural area southeast of Winnipeg. Some residents may have limited access to air-conditioned public spaces, making it all the more important to plan ahead and stay cool.
