2018 Canada summer forecast: Severe storms to eye Ontario; Fire danger to grip Prairies, British Columbia

A stormy summer is set to unfold across Ontario and southern Quebec, bringing the threat for severe weather to the region.

Meanwhile, warm and dry conditions in the Prairies will raise the risk of wildfires and cause drought conditions to worsen.

Thunderstorms to bring severe weather to Ontario, southern Quebec

Severe weather will threaten parts of Ontario and Quebec this summer, including some of the region’s largest cities.

“There is a higher risk for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes this summer over Ontario and southern Quebec,” AccuWeather Canada Weather Expert Brett Anderson said.

This includes Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Montreal and Quebec City.

The strongest storms of the season will be capable of producing damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes. However, any thunderstorm that moves through the region will bring the risk of flash flooding, especially in urban areas.

As storms target the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Valley, a more tranquil summer is in the forecast for Atlantic Canada.

Anderson predicts warmer- and drier-than-normal conditions across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and eastern New Brunswick.

“It will be humid this summer for Atlantic Canada with more coastal fog compared to normal,” Anderson said.

Drought to worsen across the Prairies

Little relief is in sight for the drought across the Canadian Prairies as dry conditions will remain over the region in the coming months.

Drought conditions began to develop across the southern Prairies last summer with the worst conditions focusing on southern Saskatchewan, according to the Canada Drought Monitor. This includes the province’s capital of Regina.

“The ongoing drought over the southern Prairies is expected to worsen through the summer,” Anderson said.

Not only will the warm, dry conditions bring greater drought concerns, but they will also set the stage for a more active wildfire season.

“There is a higher-than-normal wildfire risk for much of western Canada this summer, including the Prairies,” Anderson said. “This may also lead to more smoke- and haze-filled days with reduced air quality, especially in valley locations.”

While much of the Prairies will receive little in terms of rainfall, thunderstorms will rumble over the Canadian Rockies.

“Afternoon thunderstorms may be quite frequent across the Canadian Rockies during late July and August,” Anderson said.

Those headed to the Canadian Rockies to vacation in one of the national parks or to spend time hiking and camping should keep a close eye on the weather.

Thunderstorms can quickly develop over the mountainous terrain, so it's important to be vigilant and seek shelter at the first sign of a storm, especially at higher elevations.

Heat, wildfire threat to build over interior British Columbia

The warm and dry weather that will dominate the Prairies this summer will also extend across western Canada into much of British Columbia.

There will be a higher number of warm spells across interior British Columbia, especially during the second half of the summer, Anderson said.

The interior areas for British Columbia will also face a risk of wildfires as the summer progresses.

Much of the heat will focus farther inland as areas closer to the Pacific coast experience more comfortable conditions.

“Fairly typical summer conditions are expected across southwestern coastal British Columbia, including Vancouver,” Anderson said.

In Vancouver, this translates to afternoon temperatures in the lower 20s C and overnight lows around 13 C.

Meanwhile, wetter and cooler weather is on tap farther up the coast of British Columbia and into Yukon.

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