Hot weather sizzles into Manitoba, breaks 6 records for heat

The first really hot day of the year rolled around on Friday and broke daily records for heat in six Manitoba communities.

Winnipeg and Brandon both reached 33 C, breaking a nearly 70-year-old heat record set in 1948 in both communities of 32.2 C.

Fisher Branch, Gretna, Melita and Pilot Mound also beat their old records with temperatures above 30 C in each community.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for communities across the southern part of the province advising people to be safe in the heat. The statements were lifted later Friday.

• Environment Canada weather alerts

"When we talk about heat, there is such a thing as heat illness, heatstroke, heat exhaustion. These two things can become really dangerous, a critical medical situation," said Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"So while it might be your first impulse to just go out there and enjoy it, there are some precautions you can take to make it easier on yourself."

Here's the advice from Environment Canada on how to beat the heat:

• Take frequent breaks from the heat,at your house or at cooled public buildings (including malls or indoor pools).
• Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.
• Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, for any length of time.

If you're planning on firing up the barbecue over the weekend, Hasell advised to avoid piling on meat. High-protein foods aren't good for bodies dealing with heat, she said.

Hasell said it's especially important to be cautious during hot days early in the season, because it takes time for your body to adjust to higher temperatures.

"Our bodies can be made to deal with the heat, but it takes time," she said. "... This is the first time we're encountering heat so our bodies are not ready to do this. So help them."

Hasell said the record-high temperatures weren't expected to continue beyond Friday, although hot weather is set to stick around into next week and spike on Monday.

Southern Manitoba was also covered by severe thunderstorm watches and warnings on Friday afternoon. Warnings were lifted Friday night, as were watches for the western part of the province.

• Severe thunderstorms possible in southern Manitoba Friday evening