Today, the first official day of summer 2023, meteorologists at Environment and Climate Change Canada said Ontario is going to experience hot, warm and dry weather until the end of August.
Environment and Climate Change Canada held a media availability Wednesday afternoon, to address concerns regarding weather conditions in Ontario and Quebec, focusing on northern Ontario and Nord-du-Quebec.
Simon Legault, a warning preparedness meteorologist spoke to the media and said that more wildfires could be caused in the province due to expected thunderstorms in the upcoming weeks.
“In the coming days, these thunderstorms could trigger new wildfires in the areas where the vegetation is really dry,” Legault said.
The northern and north-western part of Ontario is currently at risk of thunderstorms and other areas might be impacted by thunder showers, he said.
These expected rains would not bring enough precipitation to extinguish the wildfires Legault said, but they could help in combating them.
Most of Ontario and Quebec is covered with smoke from the unprecedented wildfires in the province, as represented by a satellite image shown in the web presentation.
Northern Ontario is seeing heat warnings and poor air quality.
“In the coming days, there will be very dry and hot conditions in northern Ontario will continue for a couple of days until Friday at least,” Legault said.
The forecast predicts most parts of northern Ontario will have moderately high temperatures. While a some areas, around Moosonee north to the First Nations community of Attawapiskat, will experience “more intense” temperatures.
Environment and Climate Change Canada announced its seasonal weather outlook for summer 2023 on Tuesday.
Legault warned people to check the weather forecast before making outdoor summer plans.
Forecasts can be checked on the WeatherCAN app, or you can call on the toll-free number at 1-833-794-3556.