Relief is coming as residents in the capital make it through the fourth day of a heat warning. Although the temperature at the Ottawa International Airport was 34.1 degrees Celsius at 5 p.m., the humidity made it feel more like 43.

After days of temperatures in the mid 30s and high humidity levels, the weather is expected to cool on Friday with a forecasted high of 30 degrees Celsius.

"This will be the final steamy day for a little while," said CTV Ottawa weather specialist J.J. Clarke.

People seem to be coping

Although the extreme temperature is taking its toll on many Ottawa residents, particularly the elderly and those with heart and breathing problems; Ottawa's associate medical officer of health says, for the most part, people seem to be coping.

"We are finding that people in the large buildings that have no air conditioning and many seniors where our nurses are visiting, are mostly doing well," said Dr. Vera Etches.

She says although most people understand it's important to stay cool and hydrated, local emergency rooms are still seeing patients with heat-related illness. Ottawa paramedics also experienced an 18 per cent increase in calls on Wednesday.

Staying cool

Air conditioners are sold-out at many Ottawa locations. However, Etches reminds residents it's important to try to spend two hours per day in an air conditioned environment.

"We want people to know that city buildings are available (to stay cool)," she said.

Air conditioned city buildings open to the public include:

  • City Hall
  • City buildings on Constellation Drive
  • City buildings on Centrepointe Drive
  • Public libraries

Hot jobs

Although many people can take refuge in air conditioned buildings at work, not everyone has a job that allows them to stay cool.

Employees at Ottawa Powder Coating in Stittsville work in temperatures that reach 46 degrees Celsius.

Their job is to bake a protective, rust-resistant coating on various items, ranging from bikes to patio furniture. The oven they use can reach up to 415 degrees Fahrenheit (212 degrees Celsius).

"Not only are you dealing with the temperature outside, but you've got to turn the burner off, open the door and you have to go inside that 400 degree oven," said plant manager Kent Schroeder.

The workplace is so hot, workers get a 10-minute break every hour to go outside to cool down.

Homeless flock to shelters

The city's homeless are also having a tough time with the hot weather.

Air conditioned shelters in Ottawa are busier than normal, and the Salvation Army is patrolling the streets to make sure those who choose to stay outside are safe.

"We go to try and encourage them to get in a shelter or remind them they may be dehydrated and provide them with water," said outreach worker Richard Charles.

Outdoor activity

If people need to be outdoors, Etches says it's important to limit strenuous activity.

"Try to take things a bit easier. If you do have to do something outside, then try to choose times of the day when it's a little bit cooler."

She says the best time to be outdoors is early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is not directly on you.

Temperatures on the weekend are expected to be cooler in Ottawa and the surrounding area. Saturday's high in the capital is forecasted at 25 degrees Celsius; the high for Sunday is 28 degrees. Temperatures into next week are forecasted to be in the high 20s.

With files from CTV Ottawa's Alyshah Hasham