Heat warnings are in place for much of Nova Scotia as the province faces two days of sweltering temperatures and high humidity.
Environment Canada meteorologist Ian Hubbard says the heat is especially intense in the Valley, South Shore, and central parts of the province. Temperatures on Tuesday are peaking between 29 and 31 degrees, with humidex values near or above 40.
“Very hot day in store across the province today,” said Hubbard, “and some of that heat’s going to linger into tomorrow now as well.”
The forecast had initially predicted a cool-down on Wednesday, but the shift in air mass is now expected to arrive later, making for another uncomfortably warm day midweek.
While temperatures in eastern Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton, are a bit lower — in the mid-20s with humidex values around 33 — those areas fall just short of meeting the province’s criteria for a heat warning.
“There are some stations, especially in western Nova Scotia, where we could get close to breaking records, but most are forecast to fall a few degrees short,” said Hubbard. Greenwood, for example, has a record of 33.9 degrees for this date, while the current forecast is around 31 degrees.
Thunderstorms and showers remain a low risk for most regions, but Hubbard noted lightning activity had been spotted in parts of eastern Cape Breton and said it’s worth monitoring local forecasts for any developments later in the day.
Cooler air is expected to arrive across the province by Thursday.