Record warm temperatures in Ottawa on Thursday
Ottawa's spring heat wave continues, with a second straight day of record-breaking temperatures.
The temperature hit 29.7 C at 4 p.m. at the Ottawa Airport, making it the warmest May 12 in Ottawa in more than 100 years. The previous record for warmest May 12 in Ottawa was 27.6 C, set back in 1992.
Environment Canada says the temperature hit 30.5 C between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Environment Canada's David Phillips says the "absolutely gorgeous" weather will continue into the weekend.
"My gosh, we could have four days in a row with temperatures that are breaking the all-time record for these particular days," Phillips told CTV Morning Live.
"It is very difficult to get a 30-degree temperature in early to mid-May in Ottawa. Typically, winter has just kind of left a week or so ago, and it's so hard to get those scorching types of temperatures."
Phillips says a "big high-pressure area" is dominating the weather over a good part of eastern North America.
Environment Canada’s weather forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 31 C on Thursday.
Toay is the second straight day with record-breaking warm temperatures, following the warmest May 11 in Ottawa in more than 100 years. The temperature hit 28.4 C on Wednesday.
Phillips says while it will be hot in Ottawa, you will not feel the humidity.
"These days in the middle in the July would be sultry and oppressive, we'd be saying, 'Oh my gosh, it's the humidity,'" Phillips said.
"The trees are not growing as much, plants and crops are not so all that kind of local moisture is not getting into the air; it is just in the atmosphere coming from the south."
The record-breaking temperatures are expected to continue – Friday’s forecast calls for sunshine and a high of 31 C.
Skies will stay clear Friday evening and temperatures will fall to 17 C overnight.
On Saturday – plenty of sunshine and a high of 31 C.
Phillips says if you don't like the humidity, this may be the best part of the spring and summer.
"I think this is probably the most comfortable kind of days that we probably will have the whole year. It's free energy time; you're not spending money on your air conditioning or your heat."
Environment Canada's forecast calls for temperatures to fall to 22 C on Monday and 19 C on Tuesday, which will still be warmer than normal for mid-May.
"When the cool off comes, we see more Canadian air and American air, it's still going to be above seasonal values."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
LIVE SOON Honda expected to announce Ontario EV battery plant, part of a $15B investment
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Honda executives are expected to announce today that the Japanese automaker is building an electric vehicle battery plant in Alliston, Ont., part of a $15-billion investment.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.