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Most of New Brunswick is under a heat warning, likely until the weekend, when forecasters expect things to improve.
Heat warnings are in effect for the whole province, except for a part of northwestern New Brunswick and an area along the southern coast.
According to the Environment Canada warning, the maximum temperature could reach 34 C in the areas under a heat warning, with humidex values of 37 to 39.
These hot and humid temperatures will continue into Friday, with conditions expected to improve on the weekend, the warnings say.
WATCH | ‘Everywhere else is too hot’:
Residents keeping cool amid heat wave over much of New Brunswick
Residents in the Moncton area made a splash at Dieppe’s Rotary Park on Thursday
Jill Mapea, a meteorologist for Environment Canada, said the temperatures aren’t unheard of for this time of year, but they’re higher than expected for New Brunswick at the start of August.
“For example, the seasonal temperatures for Fredericton this time of year would be highs of 26 and lows of 12 — so we are well above those values,” Mapea said.
Cloud cover is in the weekend forecast, but humidity is also expected to increase. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
“But having a heat wave in in the first week of August is nothing extraordinary, and it’s very common for this region.”
Mapea said to expect uncomfortable conditions because of the humidity.
“It almost feels sauna-like,” she said.
“With these extreme heat events, and the heat event we are seeing, it’s when that humidity rises and you actually feel it.”
Water stations were placed around the Rotary St-Anselme Park in Dieppe on Thursday in preparation for mountain biking races this weekend. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
Environment Canada advises people to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue.
And if there are heat stroke symptoms, such as red and hot skin, dizziness, nausea, confusion and a change in consciousness, emergency services should be called, the agency says.
Mapea said there will be more cloud cover on the weekend, but humidity is expected to be higher.
She said relief from the muggy conditions is more likely to come next week.
‘I feel like I’m melting’
Brooke Riley was visiting from Nova Scotia on Thursday and was at the Rotary St-Anselme splash pad in Dieppe with her child.
“We’re just trying to keep as cool as we can,” she said, noting the air conditioning broke down at their house on Thursday morning.
“Get out of the house, but the park is too hot, everywhere else is too hot, so we found this place.”
A family visiting Moncton from Peru also told CBC News they came to the splash pad for relief from the heat.
Brooke Riley and her child were at the Rotary St-Anselme splash pad in Dieppe to cool off in Thursday’s high heat. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
“I feel like I’m melting,” 11-year-old Stefano Rojo said.
“I came to this park because it’s so hot. And I’m sometimes bored in my house of playing the same games and watching TV.”
Kelsey Jones wanted to go to a pool with her partner and son, but she was told by phone they were at capacity for the day.
“The beaches are so full, we thought a splash pad might be our best bet,” Jones said.
Rémi Mantion is a volunteer for the Canada Cup mountain bike races in Dieppe this weekend. He says athletes are preparing themselves to perform in the heat. (Victoria Walton/CBC)
But as some look to cool off in the heat, others are preparing to perform at national mountain biking races in Dieppe this weekend — part of the Canada Cup Mountain Bike Series.
Volunteer Rémi Mantion said the course has several water supply points and even a splash pad for anyone who needs to cool off.
He said athletes also use ice vests to keep cool while they compete.
“The event is usually for races over an hour, and they do need to drink a lot, and a lot of electrolytes,” he said.
“They do need to stay focused and hydrated for the whole thing.”