Nearly all of Canada will see a warmer than average summer, say forecasters

Residents of almost every region of the country should brace for a warmer-than-normal summer, according to Environment Canada's latest seasonal forecast.

Experts are almost certain that Canadians will see above-average temperatures, especially in Ontario and eastern Canada, where the probability is approaching 100%.

Only some areas on the coast of British Columbia and the Northwest Territories are expecting a cooler-than-normal summer.

Experts made the predictions at a news conference on Tuesday.

"This hot summer could manifest itself in the form of an extreme heat wave in some areas, and in others, a sustained slightly above-normal temperature," said Jennifer Smith, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

"In any case, this forecast shows the overall picture of the summer season, not the conditions of specific days. So there will still be cool days in warm areas."

“These forecasts are more about the general direction of the summer and don’t answer local questions,” Smith said. “They set the stage, but they don’t provide the script.”

Environment Canada also predicts more wildfires in the west of the country this summer — especially in August.

There’s no clear forecast for summer precipitation in many areas, but humidity is expected to be above normal, and experts are more confident in that forecast in Atlantic Canada.

Canada warming faster than the rest of the world

Experts say Canada is warming faster than the rest of the world, and much of that warming is due to human-induced climate change.

The country’s average summer temperature has risen 1.8 degrees Celsius since 1948, said Bill Merrifield, a researcher with Environment and Climate Change Canada.

He added that climate change has increased the likelihood of extreme events, including heat waves. According to federal government analysis, the heat wave that hit Alberta at the end of May was between two and 10 times more likely due to human-induced climate change.