Central Manitoba could be drier than normal this summer, while more heatwaves may be in store for the western Prairie, according to the Weather Network’s 2023 summer forecast.
Released Wednesday, the seasonal forecast for the months of June, July, and August calls for a "come-and-go" summer across Canada, with periods of hot, dry weather interrupted at times by bouts of cooler temperatures. And while dryness continues to be a concern in some areas, the forecast suggests the changeable pattern should result in storms that reduce the potential for widespread drought.
(See Weather Network temperature and precipitation maps below).
The outlook for Alberta is for a generally hot summer but with cold fronts bringing relief at times. Significant rainfall events and thunderstorms are likely, which should result in near-normal precipitation for much of the province, the forecast said.
Saskatchewan is expected to see mostly similar conditions to Alberta, with warm spells interrupted by periods of cooler weather. The warmest temperatures in the province are expected in the western half, with the eastern half near normal. Drier than normal conditions are expected across northern Saskatchewan, while southern areas see near normal rain totals. Strong to severe storms are likely at times, which is typical of the region during the summer, the forecast said.
Changeable temperatures are expected across Manitoba as well, with cooler than normal temperatures likely for northeastern parts of the province and near the Ontario border east of Winnipeg. Drier than normal conditions are expected across most of Manitoba, but southern areas are expected to see near-normal rain totals.
As for Ontario, periods of cooler weather should more than offset bouts of heat, resulting in slightly cooler than normal temperatures for the season across the more northern reaches of the province. Across the southernmost areas (near and south of the 401), the back-and-forth swings in temperatures should result in near normal temperatures.
Fewer days with 30-degree temperatures during the heart of summer are expected in Ontario compared to many recent years. However, there are preliminary indications of heat heading into the month of September.
Below-normal rainfall totals are expected across most of northern Ontario, while southern parts of the region should see near-normal or slightly above-normal rain totals, the Weather Network said.
