Much of central, southern Sask. under heat warnings

It’s a sweaty start to the weekend across central and southern Saskatchewan.

Environment Canada has put Regina — and many other places around the province — under a heat warning Friday.

“Pretty much all southern Saskatchewan will be unusually warm (Friday) — not only just warm, but also very, very humid. Humidex values are in the high 30s, if not the 40s,” said meteorologist David Baggaley.

“Just remember that a higher number — like a humidex of 40 — is almost dangerously humid. With those conditions, you have to take care of yourself.”

With the warm weather, Baggaley noted there’s a chance of severe thunderstorms in the evening, especially in the central part of the province.

The hottest temperature forecast for Friday is in Moose Jaw with a high of 35 C.

Regina’s expected to reach a high of 33 C, and Saskatoon can expect a high of 34 C.

While the Queen City’s under a heat warning, the Bridge City is not. That’s because Saskatoon’s forecast for a high of 29 C Saturday, while Regina is expected to get up to to 32 C.

Heat warnings are only issued when the temperature’s expected to reach 32 C or higher for two days in a row with overnight lows at 16 C or milder.

By the end of Saturday, Baggaley said a cooler system should move in, offering much of Saskatchewan relief from the scorching weather.

Kids keep cool at the spray park

In the midst of the stifling heat and high humidity, crowds of kids were keeping cool at the spray park Friday morning.

“It’s really hot so we can spend the whole day here playing in the water,” explained Freya, while on an outing with daycare at the South Leisure Centre spray park in Regina.

Her friend Natalie agreed the best part of the hot day is going in the water, but also noted how important it is to drink lots of water.

Adults at the park said they just follow the lead of the kids, running in the water whenever they need to cool down.

“We join them,” laughed Sharon Miller, at the park with her neighbour and all the kids. “We came first thing in the morning as soon as we had the kids up and fed and we’ll probably be back in our houses before things get a little too hot for the little ones.”

Stay hydrated, covered in hot weather

With the high temperatures expected around Saskatchewan over the next several days, safety is going to be of the utmost importance for people heading outside.

More than 30 people died from extreme heat in Quebec during a recent heatwave.

Leonard Rostotski, an instructor at St. John Ambulance, said it’s going to be important for people to stay out of the sun and keep hydrated.

The elderly and young children are most at-risk when the temperatures rise this high.

He said one of the first signs the heat is getting to a person is heat cramps.

“Usually starts in the legs and stomach, that tells you your body needs moisture,” Rostotski said.

Heat exhaustion often follows, where a person becomes tired and lazy in the warm temperatures.

One of the more dangerous conditions brought on by the temperatures is heat stroke.

“Once the sweating stops, and there’s no more moisture left in your body, that becomes a dire emergency where you need to cool yourself down fairly quickly,” Rostotski said.

He said if people begin to feel sick from the heat, they should start taking sips of cool water immediately.

Ice-cold water is not recommended because it will cramp up a person’s stomach and induce nausea and vomiting.

“Your body’s burning up already so you throw ice into it, it’s just going to contract it even more.”

If a person feels they are getting heat stroke, they should also call for an ambulance immediately.

Rostotski said alcohol and coffee are not the best choices in hot weather because both dehydrate a person.