A lifeguard keeps watch over swimmers at Britannia Beach in Ottawa on June 18, 2024. The Canadian Press
Most parts of Canada will experience a hotter summer than usual this year. Weather experts shared their latest seasonal forecast on Tuesday, saying nearly every region, especially Ontario and eastern Canada, should expect higher-than-average temperatures.
The chances of warmer weather in these areas are close to 100 per cent.
Where Might It Stay Cool?
Only a few parts of British Columbia's coast and the Northwest Territories may have a cooler-than-normal summer. These areas are the exception.
Jennifer Smith, a meteorologist, explained that the heat could show in different ways. Some places might face strong heatwaves. Others might simply stay a few degrees warmer than usual.
But, she warned, this is just the overall trend. “You can still expect cooler days now and then,” she said.
What Does This Forecast Mean?
Smith said people should think of this forecast as a big-picture overview. It sets the background for the season but doesn’t predict daily weather.
“It's like setting the stage for a play. You know the scene, but not each line,” she explained.
In short, you can still expect rain, cloudy skies, and cooler breaks. But overall, it’s going to feel warmer.
Fire and Humidity Concerns
Weather experts are also warning of more intense fire weather this summer. That means wildfires might become more severe, especially in western Canada in August.
Humidity will likely rise too. This is expected especially in Atlantic Canada, where experts are most confident about that trend.
However, there’s less clarity on rainfall predictions. Forecasters say it’s hard to tell how much rain will fall in many areas.
Canada Is Warming Faster Than Others
Experts say Canada is warming quicker than many other countries. The main reason, they say, is climate change caused by human actions.
Bill Merryfield, a research scientist, said Canada’s summer temperature has gone up by 1.8°C since 1948.
He added that rising temperatures make extreme weather events, like heatwaves, more likely.
In fact, the heatwave that hit Alberta in late May was found to be two to ten times more likely because of climate change.
This pattern of warming is something experts are watching closely.
