Spotted: The Community reacts to the humid temperatures in Canada

A man gets comfortable on a bench in front of a water fountain at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Ont., on July 15. (Hassan Arshad/CBC)Extreme heat and humidity are sweeping across Canada this weekend from Saskatchewan to Quebec -- and Environment Canada's long-term forecast says warmer-than-normal weather will persist throughout the summer.

"I recommend avoiding the sun and doing anything strenuous outdoors," CBC weather specialist Jay Scotland said on Saturday. "Hazy, hot, humid. It is going to be absolutely sticky today."

Temperatures of 30 C and above are expected from western Quebec to southern Saskatchewan over the next few days, and in many places the humidity will make it feel like 40 or higher.

The soaring temperatures prompted generally upbeat comments from CBC audience members, particularly those in regions not being affected by the heat wave:
 

• "Hey, come to naturally air-conditioned Newfoundland," wrote Grumpystump.
•  "We could use some oppressive heat in Vancouver darn it..." added newsnoobi.
• "This is my first year here in Vancouver from Toronto," observed Medhatbear. "To be honest, I have enjoyed the cooler weather and have welcomed it. My memory of those hot humid days and nights has not disappeared. You couldn't escape it. However, in April or May, the rain needed to slow down."

Those Community members who were in the midst of the humidity were choosing to remain positive.
 

• "This is normal summer weather here in London Ontario... we always see humidex readings into the 40's every summer... summers are always hot and steamy in Southwestern Ontario!," said Mike1980.
• "Enjoy while its here, in another 5 months we will be complaining it is cold with snow on the ground. I am off the porch swing with a cold drink!!!," noted daltonisadope.
• "Enjoy it now because in 12 or so weeks we'll be complaining about the cold, rainy weather," agreed spaceman.
• "It's been fantastic here in Toronto," wrote a chipper T.O.shrimp. "I would actually want more of these days (feels like 25~30, occasionally 35~40). I've been different parts of the world and would say Canadian summer is like being in a heaven."

Some were less delighted by the heat and hinted that climate change could be the cause.

• "Before Al Gore and david Suzuki we called it Summer...why change now?," quipped ndpjoke.
• "Sorry to bring it up folks: climate change = new extreme weather patterns. Not just warming. Like the many irregularities we've been seeing over the last decade +. May as well enjoy it since it ain't going away any time soon," added jenzie.

However, most commenters appeared to be taking the weather in stride, and many of them shared inventive tips about how to keep cool.

•  "People all over the world cope quite well with extreme heat. Why are we so frail? Let's just emulate southern France for example.. Close down everything between 11h00 and 15h00 and sleep off the heat," mused AoD669.  
• "Jay Scotland of CBC had it right - if you can't afford an AC at the moment, you still pay taxes; there are plenty of working poor - go to the public buildings you own and take advantage of the chill. Sit down with a good book at the library for a few!," added ThisGreatLand.
• "Hydrate, guys, you don't want to drop in this heat from heat exhaustion," wrote a concerned Kensington Smyth, the 23rd. "That condition can do a lot of bad things to your body. I just spent a gruelling day yesterday in moderately warm conditions moving furniture and heeding my advice every half hour."
• Beatle7 shared this helpful checklist: "Ice cold beer. A/C. DVR'd episodes of Eastbound and down. Recipe to escape Mother natures hot flashes."

And Son Of Krypton shared what sounded like the best tip of all:

"Well, I'm off to the beach. The past 2 weeks have been doing wonders to warm up Lake Huron."

Thanks for all of your feedback, everybody! We look forward to reading more of your comments, and in the meantime, stay cool.