Southern Ontario is set to get hit with a strong heat wave just in time for the official start of summer.

Global News meteorologist Anthony Farnell says a large heat ridge or dome will build over the Ohio Valley in the U.S. and expand into southeastern Canada by the end of the weekend.

With the summer solstice, which occurs on Friday and is the longest day of the year for hours of sunlight, residents in southern Ontario will finally start to feel the true heat after a back-and-forth spring season.

Temperatures are expected to soar into the low to mid 30s for at least three days in southern Ontario and two or more days in Quebec, Farnell said.

The hottest day will be on Monday, when the high is forecasted to hit above 35 C in Toronto, and the humidex could briefly reach as high as 45 C.

“This would be a record for the date and the hottest temperatures we’ve experienced in three years,” Farnell said.

But how long will the heat wave stay?

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Farnell says a cool front will slowly slide in from the south on Tuesday into Wednesday bringing an end to the extreme heat, and the chance of thunderstorms.

He also said there is a risk of some “very strong thunderstorms along the warm front as the heat and humidity sweeps in this weekend.”

“Computer models have not been able to show exactly where these storms will form or when but be on the lookout late Saturday into Sunday morning, especially across cottage country and eastern Ontario for quite the light show,” Farnell said.

However, Farnell did note that temperatures will still remain above seasonal up until Canada Day.

“The first heat wave of the year is always more dangerous because our bodies haven’t yet adapted,” Farnell said.

According to Environment Canada, Toronto is expected to see a high of 25 C on Friday for summer solstice, 28 C on Saturday, and temperatures will soar into the 30s for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

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With temperatures expected to be in the 30s this weekend, Windsor’s only public beach will remain off limits for those looking to cool off with a dip.

Last week, city council unanimously voted to close Sandpoint Beach while a coroner’s investigation into the recent drowning of a 15-year-old male is underway.

A spokesperson for the coroner’s office confirmed that it was looking into the boy’s death, however, details of the investigation will not be made public.

“They are released to immediate next of kin only,” the spokesperson noted.

They also said that if there are any recommendations which come out of the inquest, they could be passed along to the city.

It looks like the beach will remain closed through the summer as the investigation will likely last at least six months.

“Each death investigation is unique, but we generally advise that it takes six to nine months to complete a death investigation, depending on the complexity of the case,” the spokesperson said.

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The teen died while swimming on the beach on May 18, becoming the ninth drowning victim in the water since the beach opened to the public in 1980.

“We understand how much Sandpoint Beach means to residents and families, especially during the summer months. However, safety must always be the priority,” Michael Chantler, commissioner of community services, stated in a release.

After council decided to close the beach last week, the city said it would be putting up fencing to close off waterfront access and installing signs to warn visitors of the dangers in the water.

The city said that work is expected to be completed by Tuesday.

“The Parks and Recreation team is moving quickly and with urgency to put safety measures in place to protect the community,” Chantler said.

“We are already on site, developing signage, arranging for additional fencing, and speaking directly with visitors. We want people to know we’re taking this seriously, and we’re doing everything we can right now to prevent further tragedy.”

Temperatures are expected to reach 32 C on Saturday before rising to a high of 34 C on Sunday, according to Environment Canada.

There are other options for area residents to cool off, with splash pads opening last month and a number of indoor pools offering recreational swims.

City outdoor pools are scheduled to open on June 29 in time for the long weekend.

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford apologized on Thursday afternoon for comments he made suggesting First Nations leaders “can’t just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government.”

At Queen’s Park, Ford emerged from his meeting with Anishinabek Nation leaders and said he was sorry for what he said on Wednesday.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my words,” he said. “Not only if it hurt all the chiefs in that room, but all First Nations.”

After he apologized, Ford shook hands with several First Nations leaders, repeating his words. His apology came after comments he made on Wednesday that set off a major backlash from Indigenous leaders.

Speaking at an unrelated event in St. Catharines, the premier said he was “bending over backwards to take care” of First Nations, whom he said he treated “like gold.”

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On eve of summit with chiefs, Ford says First Nations ‘keep coming hat in hand’

The premier went on to describe a conversation he said he had had with his minister of Indigenous affairs, Greg Rickford.

“Treat them well, give them whatever they want for them to prosper,” Ford said he told Rickford.

“But there’s going to be a point where you can’t just keep coming hat in hand all the time to the government. You’ve got to be able to take care of yourselves.”

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Speaking at Queen’s Park on Thursday, Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige said she felt the apology was “sincere” from Ford.

“We are looking at today as a new day going forward,” she said, adding that First Nations leaders attending the meeting were not “expecting an apology because of how we feel we’ve been treated.”

Ford said the meeting had gone well and described it as “heartfelt.”

The premier’s initial comments on Wednesday were met with fury from First Nations leaders, with some demanding an apology.

Before the meeting, Ontario NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa, who is the only Indigenous member of the legislature, said they were “racist” and the premier should retract them.

“We are not beggars,” he said on Thursday. “Today, I would ask for his apology for those racist comments. I ask not as an individual, not as First Nations, but for the people of Ontario.”

Debassige said the meeting was requested by First Nations leaders and was not specifically about Bill 5, but rather broader treaty rights.

“The premier has corrected himself on the ‘hat in hand’ comment and has committed to working with us as a good treaty partner and has owned what he said,” she said.

The focus on the relationship between Ford and some First Nations was sparked as his government passed legislation designed to speed up mining projects.

The law, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, or Bill 5, allows for the creation of special economic zones.

Those are areas where environmental, municipal, labour or other laws could be sidestepped entirely by companies selected by Ford’s cabinet.

The law has been met with fierce opposition, particularly from First Nation groups that fear their treaty rights could be at risk and have accused the government of abandoning its duty to consult.

The bill officially became law at the start of the month, as First Nation leaders threatened they could launch a summer of disruptive protests in response to the legislation.

A similar proposed law at the federal level has been met with the same threat.

Ford had previously said the mineral-rich Ring of Fire in northern Ontario would be the first place he designates as a special economic zone. He promised to spend the summer consulting with First Nation leaders.

On Thursday, Debassige said the Anishinabek Nation “remained opposed to Bill 5,” something she said had been repeated to the government.

“The premier has made certain commitments that we’re not going to speak to today,” she said.

“We remain steadfast in supporting those rights, and how our First Nations are going to work with the Crown, and I can share, the premier has committed to continue and having that ongoing dialogue with our rights holders in a respectful way.”

She said the meeting at Queen’s Park on Thursday was “not consultation on Bill 5.” She said it was “an initial meeting” First Nations leaders had requested.

“I agree, I agree,” Ford said.

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