Hot temperatures, big storms expected for Prairies, Quebec this summer

By David Friend, The Canadian Press

Seasonal or higher than normal temperatures across much of the country will offer Canadians a chance to enjoy the summer, but predictions from a prominent national forecaster warn the humidity could welcome a rather stormy few months.

Chris Scott, chief meteorologist at The Weather Network, says the heat coupled with an active jet stream will lead to above normal precipitation that runs across the Prairies through to Ontario and Quebec.

While that “doesn’t mean every day is going to be a wash-out,” Scott says he expects “some rather intense storms from time to time.”

Precipitation across Prairies to normalize

Across the Rockies, the extremes of springtime dryness in Alberta and floods in Manitoba will begin to even out, he said, as precipitation across the Prairies returns to more normal levels.

However, he noted the threat of drought conditions lingers in southern Alberta, which could be influenced by the “epic heat” expected to grip areas just south of the border.

READ: More heavy rain, severe winds on the way for southern Manitoba

“We’ll have to watch exactly where that big heat dome sets up,” he said.

“This does set the stage for thunderstorms … We can get big hail, big wind in the Prairies and we think this summer actually has a pretty good chance of having a few more of those big storms than usual.”

Warm and humid summer in Quebec

In Ontario and Quebec, most of the region is likely to experience a “very warm and humid summer” that doesn’t quite touch the levels of last year’s sweltering June.

“We’re going to see a lot of warm weather, a lot of dry days,” he said, ahead of the start of the meteorological summer on June 1. The official start of summer is June 21.

“But when we get the setups for precipitation, just be extra vigilant this summer because we think these storms can really pack a punch.”

Scott doesn’t anticipate a duplication of the “extremely rare” severe wind and thunderstorm that swept through Ontario and Quebec on May 21, but he urges Canadians – particularly campers – to be vigilant when it comes to fast-moving weather patterns.

READ: Under 2,000 Quebecers still in the dark after May 21 violent storms

Scott noted that while extreme heat scenarios are on the rise and will continue in that direction.

“We know that our climate is warming; that is unequivocal,” he said.

“Science tells us that the world is warming as a whole and Canada’s climate is warming. So any event that can be tied to that – like a heat wave that we saw last year in B.C. – that is made more likely in a warming climate.”

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