MONTREAL - Intense heat in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec - which could see temperatures jump to 40C with the humidex factor - is being deemed a serious threat.

People should spend at least two hours a day in a cool place, drink plenty of cold water and reduce physical exertion, according to advice from the Montreal Public Health Agency.

Environment Canada issued a high heat and humidity warning Monday for a large swath of Quebec stretching from Pontiac to the Eastern Townships, including Montreal.

The area will see humidex values of 40 C or higher and temperatures exceeding 30 C, the weather agency said.

The temperature is expected to reach 32 C in Montreal and 31 C in Quebec City on Monday. The heat will start to subside late in the week, when Environment Canada forecasts the temperature in the region will drop to the mid-20s.

“A warm and very humid air mass will cover these regions for a few days, making conditions uncomfortable,” Environment Canada said in a weather alert issued early Monday morning.

 “It’s really important that people take it easy,” said Montreal emergency room physician Dr. Mitch Shulman. “You can’t function in the high heat and especially in the high humidity, your body can’t keep you cool, so avoid the peak times of the day when the sun is at its strongest, try and limit your activities, if you don’t, you risk being seen by me in the emergency room.”

Elderly people in particular frequently end up in the emergency room as their kidneys, hearts and other organs have trouble coping.

Small children can also be at risk as, “they have tiny bodies with a lot of body surface,” according to Shulman.

But nobody is exempt from the dangers of intense heat.

“Anyone can get into trouble because as the heat goes up, you try and lose the excess heat by sweating but if the humidity is up there, you can’t sweat effectively, so even if you’re a trained athlete and are in phenomenal shape the heat will get to you,” said Shulman.

Those who sweat intensely should drink a variety of liquids and not just water, to allow mineral salts to be replenished.

People who are in touch with such as seniors, those with chronic health issues or mental illnesses should look in to ensure that they are not suffering in the intense heat.

Approximately 106 people died during the last intense heat wave in Montreal in July 2010, according to agency director Stéphane Perron of the Montreal Public Health Agency.

The Montreal Public Health Agency recommends that residents in the affected areas do the following to keep cool:

  • Drink lots of water even before you feel thirsty
  • Go to indoor air-conditioned places, including shopping malls, community centres and local libraries
  • Limit physical activity
  • Check in on elderly family members and neighbours
  • Never leave seniors, children or pets in unattended cars
  • Seek shady areas or use an umbrella when outdoors
  • Take cool showers or baths, or use wet towels to cool down
  • Wear loose, light-coloured clothing and wide-brimmed hats when outdoors
  • Reschedule outdoor activities to the cooler evening hours
    Approximately 106 people died during the last intense heat wave in Montreal in July 2010, according to agency director Stéphane Perron of the Montreal Public Health Agency.

-With a file from The Canadian Press and CTVNews.ca Staff