Deirdre Healey
Hamilton Spectator
August 1, 2006

With mercury levels expected to hit between a scorching 34 to 36 Celsius today, hydro officials anticipate residents to blast their air conditioners, sucking up more energy than they have ever used before.

Ontario’s all-time energy consumption record sits at 26,160 megawatts, set a year ago on July 13.

If everything goes according to the weather forecast – a hot, sunny couple of days with temperatures above 30 C and the humidex sitting in the mid-40s – then air conditioners will draw record levels of energy, said Terry Young, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator spokesperson.

The province hit a consumption high for 2006 with an hourly rate of 26,092 megawatts yesterday.

"We are looking at a record being set tomorrow and it will be tight as far as energy supply."

If the high temperatures aren’t causing enough discomfort, a smog advisory has also been issued for today and possibly tomorrow. This is the ninth smog advisory for 2006, down from just over 30 at this time in 2005.

Yesterday, Henderson Hospital was already experiencing an increase in the number of people visiting the emergency department with respiratory problems. Ontario’s Ministry of Environment is recommending people reduce exercise and stay indoors.

Energy had to be imported yesterday, Young said. And the same will likely happen today and tomorrow.

"We don’t have enough power to handle the current consumption," he said.

Despite government energy conservation campaigns, consumption is expected to continue rising, said Tom Adams, executive director of Energy Probe, a national consumer and environmental think-tank.

"A certain amount of people are fed up with the conservation message. It is beginning to fall on deaf ears."

Energy consumption also continues to climb because a growing population and healthy economy mean more people are installing air conditioners in their homes.

The heat wave hovering over California for the past two weeks has made its way to southern Ontario, bringing with it above 30 C temperatures and air pollution.

"It’s as hot in Miami as it is in Hamilton," says David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada.

Today’s forecast of 34-36 C would smash the old record of 33.2 C for Aug. 1, set in 1995. Tomorrow’s forecast of 30 C falls just short of the record of 32.9 C for Aug. 2, set in 1988.

The heat is expected to break Thursday and drop to a cooler 25 C.

"It will feel like jacket weather on Thursday compared to the heat we have had," Phillips said.

While there has been plenty of groaning and complaining over the recent heat, Phillips says we shouldn’t be surprised by it. The last week of July and first week of August are typically the hottest days of the year.

"These are the dog days of summer."

The hottest numbers

33.2 C – Record temperature for Aug. 1.

34-36 C – Today’s predicted high.

32.9 C – Record for Aug. 2.

33 C – Tomorrow’s forecast.

20.8 C – Average temperature in Hamilton for month of July.

33.7 C – Hottest July temperature.

37.4 C – Hottest temperature in Hamilton occurred on July 7, 1988.

42.2 C – Hottest temperature across Canada. Recorded in Atikokan in northern Ontario on July 11-12, 1936.