It was another day of record-breaking heat in Toronto.

The temperature hit 36.2 C at Pearson International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, breaking the previous record for July 17 of 35.2 C set last year.

With the humidity, the temperature today felt closer to 45.

But CP24 weather specialist Patricia Jaggernauth said the temperature started to show a slight decline by late afternoon. By 4:45 p.m., the temperature was 35.1 C.

An extreme heat alert and a humidex advisory continue to be in place as Torontonians sweat their way through another scorching summer day.

Thunderstorms possible

With such hot weather blanketing southern and eastern Ontario, there is a risk of turbulent weather in the afternoon and evening. There is a chance of rain and a risk of a thunderstorm.

Because the city has issued an extreme heat alert, seven cooling centres are open for people who need a place to escape the heat:

  • Metro Hall - 55 John St. (24 hours)
  • East York Civic Centre - 850 Coxwell Ave. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • North York Civic Centre - 5100 Yonge St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Driftwood Community Centre - 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Etobicoke Olympium - 590 Rathburn Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • McGregor Community Centre - 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
  • Centennial Park Community Centre - 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

If there is a low probability of precipitation, the following pools will be open nightly until 11:45 p.m. until the extreme heat alert is lifted:

  • Alex Duff Outdoor Pool - 779 Crawford St.
  • Alexandra Park Outdoor Pool - 275 Bathurst St.
  • Giovanni Caboto Outdoor Pool - 1369 St. Clair Ave. W.
  • McGregor Park RC Outdoor Pool - 2231 Lawrence Ave. E.
  • Monarch Park Outdoor Pool - 115 Felstead Ave.
  • Smithfield Outdoor Pool - 175 Mount Olive Dr.
  • Sunnyside Gus Ryder Outdoor Pool - 1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
  • Cummer Park Indoor Pool - 6000 Leslie St.

People are asked to call ahead of time to make sure the pool they are planning to visit is open.

Because this kind of heat can be very dangerous for humans and animals, the city is offering the following tips to help people to stay cool and avoid falling ill:

  • Drink lots of cool water even before you feel thirsty
  • Go to air conditioned places, including shopping malls, libraries or community centres
  • Take cool showers or baths or use cool, wet towels to cool down
  • Wear loose, light-coloured, breathable clothing and when outdoors wear a wide-brimmed hat
  • Avoid the sun and stay in the shade or use an umbrella
  • Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day
  • Never leave seniors, children or pets unattended in a car

In addition to the extreme heat alert, a humidex advisory issued by Environment Canada is in effect, but cooler air – if you can call it that – is on the way.

Highs of 29 C are expected Wednesday to Friday. Normal temperatures for this time of year are highs of 27 C and lows of 17 C.

Blistering hot weather 'all too common'

Meanwhile, a weather expert said the blistering hot weather is "all too common" during the summer and people should not panic.

Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson said the heat increases the chance of thunderstorms, such as the one that struck Whitby on Sunday.

Seventeen people were sent to hospital with minor injuries after lightning struck a tent at a food festival in the city east of Toronto.

While the whole country can expect the mercury to continue to skyrocket, southern Ontario is being hit with a particularly harsh dose of sweltering heat.

Temperatures in the region are expected to hit the mid-to-high-30s Tuesday.

As for the rest of the country, Coulson said it's looking warmer than normal through the rest of July and August from the foothills of Alberta through Quebec and the Maritimes.

With files from The Canadian Press

@ChrisKitching is on Twitter. Don't forget, for instant breaking news, follow @CP24 on Twitter.