Millions in Canada swelter as heatwave continues to move east

July 14, 2026

A severe heatwave is impacting millions across Canada and the United States, with extreme heat warnings issued for multiple Canadian provinces including Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories. The dangerous conditions have already shattered all-time temperature records in Montana and Utah, with cities like Billings reaching 111°F and Salt Lake City hitting 109°F. Major metropolitan areas including Toronto, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia are experiencing significant disruptions, with Toronto's commuter trains delayed due to track conditions and deteriorating air quality reported in multiple regions.

Who is affected

Millions of residents across Canadian provinces: Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories
Commuters using Toronto's regional public transit system
Millions under heat advisories in US cities: Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Chicago, and Washington DC
Residents of Montana (particularly Billings) and Utah (particularly Salt Lake City) where records were broken
More than 165 million people along the US East Coast and Midwest affected by the earlier July 4th heatwave
At least 44 people who died during the early July heatwave

What action is being taken

Extreme heat warnings have been issued across multiple Canadian provinces
Commuter trains in Toronto are running on delays due to weather-related track conditions
Environment Canada is warning about deteriorating air quality
Heat advisories are in place for multiple US cities through Wednesday

Why it matters

This heatwave represents a continuation of increasingly dangerous climate patterns, with temperatures breaking long-standing records and creating life-threatening conditions for millions. The event demonstrates the intensifying impacts of human-induced climate change, as heatwaves become more frequent, intense, and longer-lasting. The disruption to critical infrastructure like transportation, combined with poor air quality and the recent death toll of 44 people from the previous heatwave, underscores the serious public health and safety risks posed by extreme heat events. Without significant emissions reductions by governments worldwide, these dangerous conditions will continue to worsen as global temperatures have already risen 1.1°C since the industrial era.

What's next

A cold front is set to bring lower temperatures to central and eastern Canada over the next few days
The cold front will bring the threat of severe thunderstorms to Canadian areas and parts of New England
Thundery conditions will develop more widely across eastern North America by the weekend, pushing away the worst of the heat
Temperatures in many areas will remain above seasonal norms even after the worst heat passes

Read full article from source: BBC