As we look to break the all-time temp record for today….the weather has  already broken a record!

The record for the highest minimum temperature – the overnight low – was 26.3 C, which was set in August 2006.

Last night, the low reached just 26.6 C at 5 a.m., and then started to rise again. By 6 a.m., it was already 27 C.

“We’ve already got one in the bank,” said Dave Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada.

This time of year, the overnight low is normally around 17 C.

The daytime temperature today is expected to reach a scorching 37 C. Toronto has only been that hot once, when it reached 38.3 C on August 25, 1948 according to measurements at Pearson airport.

Factor in the humidex and Thursday will feel like somewhere in the mid to high 40s.

If it doesn’t quite beat 38.3, Thursday could still be the hottest July day on record, beating out the 37.6 C high on July 7, 1988. Temperature records at Pearson have been kept since 1937!

It appears Toronto has broken a temperature record for the hottest July 21 since 1955, with a temperature of 36.1 C. The previous record was 35.6 C.
The highest temperature ever recorded at Pearson airport was 38.3 C, in 1948!

Any ideas for beating the heat?  (Keep in mind, I don’t have a pool, or A/C)….!

Here’s where the cooling centers are, in your neighborhood!

In addition to using air conditioned shopping malls, local libraries and neighbourhood community centres as places to cool off, City-run Cooling Centres are open during Extreme Heat Alerts for those in need. The Metro Hall Cooling Centre (55 John Street at King St. W.) is open 24 hours during Extreme Heat Alerts. The following locations will be open from 11am to 7pm and will continue to operate until Toronto Public Health declares the Extreme Heat Alert to be over.

Centennial Park Recreation Centre – 1967 Ellesmere Rd

On Ellesmere Rd, west of Dolly Varden Blvd.

Driftwood Community Centre – 4401 Jane St.

On Jane St., north of Finch Ave.

East York Civic Centre – 850 Coxwell Ave

On Coxwell Ave., south of O’Connor Dr.

Etobicoke Olympium – 590 Rathburn Rd

On Rathburn Rd. at Melbert Rd.

McGregor Community Centre – 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.

On Lawrence Ave. E., east of Birchmount Rd.

North York Civic Centre – 5100 Yonge St

On Yonge St., north of Sheppard Ave. W

Cooling Centres offer an air-conditioned place to rest indoors and receive a cool drink and find information on how to “Beat the Heat”. Pets are welcome and owners are responsible to keep them on leash. All Cooling Centres are accessible by TTC. Drop-in Centres can also provide relief from the heat.

Stay cool!