Most of Canada in for hotter than normal summer

Get ready for a hot and muggy summer.

Environment Canada predicts higher-than-normal temperatures throughout most of Canada.

That doesn’t include coastal B.C. and the Yukon, where normal to below-average temps are predicted.

Meteorologist Jennifer Smith says there will be heat waves and cool spells, and some uncertainty about rain totals.

“This is a national-scale outlook, so the actual impact will depend greatly on local day-to-day weather,” said Smith.

She says below-normal rain totals are likely into the summer months.

Alberta and B.C. already experienced drought conditions and wildfires through the spring.

“The summer wildfire season may impact air quality again this year. Even thousands of kilometres away from active fires. Knowing how to stay informed so you can make the best decisions for your health and safety is key.”

Environment Canada says they’ve developed a new system that links extreme hot temperatures and human-caused climate change.

Within about a week of an event occurring, climate scientists can now describe the role that human-caused climate change played in making a recent heat event more likely or intense.