What to expect this summer in Canada, according to forecasters

Climatologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada David Phillips on the outlook of summer temperatures, as heat warnings are issued in the Prairies.

After a long winter, Canadians can expect a warmer-than-normal summer, with uncertain precipitation outcomes, according to forecasters.

Environment and Climate Change Canada released its summer outlook Friday, comparing expected temperatures this summer with the 1991 to 2020 average, to show whether conditions are likely to be above, near or below normal.

The outlook presentation, which included a map of the country shaded in varying tones of red, indicated a tendency toward warmer conditions this summer compared with Canada’s temperature during the 30-year period.

This summer, the strongest warm signals for the country are found in British Columbia, Yukon, along the mainland portion of the territories, the northern parts of the prairies, and Atlantic Canada.

While forecasters were confident about what to expect in terms of temperature, they said the data used to forecast long-range precipitation was “much weaker across Canada.”

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