Environment and Climate Change Canada - Weather

🔥 💨 Smoke from in western Canada is affecting .

Stay informed and monitor the air quality in your area: https://ow.ly/7heF50SJO9V

Stay safe everyone! 🫂

🌡️ For the second day in a row, the world set a new daily global average temperature on Monday, July 22, surpassing the previous record set just the day before, says Copernicus ECMWF.

📈 As anticipated, the ERA5 preliminary data show that Monday, July 22, was the warmest day in recent history, at 17.15°C, breaking the records from 21 July 24 and 6 July 23.

🌍 This is the hashtag .

🔗 Details: https://ow.ly/Hebc50SJ95Y

Many Air Quality Advisories in effect in western Canada 🇨🇦

➡️ Poor air quality and visibility expected in many areas
➡️ Conditions may change rapidly over short distances and time
➡️ Heat and smoke increase health risks for everyone
➡️ Fine particles in smoke are the main concern

Stay informed:

📱 Check the Air Quality Health Index at https://ow.ly/XRXh50SHmUa or use our WeatherCAN app for personalized notifications

🔥💨 Learn more about wildfire smoke & your health: https://ow.ly/JynF50SHmU9

📷: Alerts map as of July 22, 2024, at 8:00 AM MDT.

Is this a tornado? 🌪️ Quick guide:

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱𝘀 𝘃𝘀. 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀:
➡️ Funnel cloud: Funnel-shaped, extends from cloud base, rotating
➡️ Tornado: Funnel touches ground OR debris are swirling beneath (even if funnel doesn't touch the ground)

𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸-𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀:
➡️ Real: Smooth appearance, rapid rotation
➡️ Imposters: Ragged, no rotation, often just rain/hail shafts

When in doubt, head for shelter! 🏠

Stay safe out there and keep an eye on our alerts: https://ow.ly/zilv50SGwh7

🌧️ 🌧️ Extreme rainfall event in southern Ontario on July 15 and July 16.

From Sarnia and London through the Greater Toronto Area, 60-100 mm of rain fell in just a few hours, causing widespread urban flash flooding.

This led to the closure of key transportation corridors, interruptions to public transit, infrastructure damage, and over 160,000 power outages.

The map below shows total rainfall accumulations in mm for July 15 and July 16. 👇

🌡️Heat warnings are in effect for many areas across western Canada, and are expected to last several days. In eastern Canada heat warnings are also in effect, but are not expected to last as long. 🥵

High health risks for:

➡️ Heat stroke
➡️ Heat exhaustion

Protect yourself and others:

✅ Stay hydrated regularly
✅ Keep cool
✅ Check on vulnerable individuals

Monitor our alerts on our WeatherCAN app or our website 👉 https://ow.ly/Gprb50SCjEy

📷 : Alerts map as of July 16, 2024, at 09:30 AM EDT.

You think hurricanes are only about wind? Think again! 🏠🌀

While strong winds can be dangerous, the biggest threat to life and property often comes from water. Storm surge and inland flooding can cause devastating damage. 💧🌊

To learn more about coastal flooding and storm surge alerts in your area, visit 👉🏾 https://ow.ly/SskP50SAwh1

🌀 The remnants of post-tropical storm Beryl have brought rainfall warnings to southern Ontario and Quebec and to New-Brunswick on Wednesday and Thursday.

Between 50 and 70 millimetres of rain are forecast, with locally higher amounts in some areas where torrential downpours are possible. Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and ponding on roads. Residents of affected areas are advised to reconsider non-essential travel and stay alert near waterways.

Keep monitoring our alerts on our website 👉🏾 https://weather.gc.ca/ or download our WeatherCAN app.

Weather Information - Environment Canada Environment Canada's weather web site provides official weather warnings, current conditions, forecasts, and weather models, for public and marine areas in Canada. Canadian weather RADAR, tropical storm tracking, lightning activity, UV index, and AQHI index values also available.

🔥The heat in western Canada is worsening forest fires, leading to deteriorating air quality.

Special Air Quality Statements have been issued for northeastern British Columbia and southern Saskatchewan. Air Quality Advisories are in effect for northern Alberta and Saskatchewan and southern Northwest Territories. Heat and poor air quality can significantly increase health risks for vulnerable populations.

🌐 Monitor the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for your region on our website 👉🏾 https://ow.ly/B26N50SxPjm or download our WeatherCAN app to set up personalized notifications and be alerted when the air quality in your area reaches a critical threshold.

📷 Smoke from wildfires in northern British Columbia is causing poor air quality in many regions.

❗Heat warning in effect in western Canada.

Extremely hot temperatures ranging from 30°C to 35°C, and even higher in some regions, combined with overnight lows in the mid-teens or higher, are expected until at least Wednesday.

🌡️ Protect your loved ones from the heat:

✔️ Regularly check on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbours, especially if they live alone.
✔️ Ensure they have access to a cool place.
✔️ Be alert to early signs of heat-related illness:
• Unusual fatigue
• Intense thirst
• Headaches
• Dark urine
✔️ Act quickly: these symptoms can rapidly become critical.

Keep monitoring our alerts 👉🏾 https://ow.ly/XCCm50SwVvC or download our WeatherCAN app.

📷 Alerts map as of July 8, 2024, at 8:00 A.M. MDT.

Have you ever heard of the Saffir-Simpson Scale? It was created to assess and categorize hurricanes, helping gauge their impact and severity based on wind speed. 🌀🌬️

Originally designed for tropical areas, the Saffir-Simpson Scale can sometimes yield different damage assessments in regions like Canada. While the scale is useful, actual damage can vary, and it doesn't account for other dangers like storm surge, flooding, and tornadoes.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), we can expect a very active hurricane season this year. If you live areas affected by hurricanes, make sure you know how to prepare ➡️ https://ow.ly/XIbx50Sw0c9

🌞 Here is our July temperature outlook. Check the map below to see whether temperatures in your region will be below, near, or above average. 👇

➡️ Yellow to red: above average temperatures.
➡️ Blue: below average temperatures.
➡️ White: near average temperatures.

📷 Compared to the 30 months of July between the 1991-2020 period. This map shows the average for the whole month, not daily changes. There may be days when the difference from normal is larger or smaller than what is shown on the map.

📅 in 1912, for three terrifying minutes late in the afternoon an enormous tornado slashed through six city blocks in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan.

The “REGINA CYCLONE” formed 18 km south of the city and was roughly 400 metres wide. The twister killed between 28 and 40 people, injured 300 others and left a quarter of the city’s population homeless. Winds destroyed or seriously damaged 500 buildings including the YMCA, the public library and two large churches. It was and remains today the deadliest tornado in Canadian history. 🌪️

📷 Damage to houses in Regina, June 30, 1912. Credit: University of Saskatchewan Archives.

⛺️🌲 Heading out for a camping adventure?

Don't let lightning ruin your trip! With nearly 4 million strikes in Canada annually, staying safe is important.

Before you go, check the forecast and consider rescheduling if thunderstorms are expected. 🌩️ If caught in a storm, seek shelter in a building or vehicle. 🏠🚗 No shelter? Crouch low, away from metal objects.

Lightning can strike from 10 km away, so if you hear thunder, you're at risk. Wait 30 minutes after the last rumble before resuming activities. Stay informed, stay alert, and remember: When thunder roars, go indoors!

Learn more on lightning safety 👉 https://ow.ly/x1TN50SqPtV

https://ow.ly/3SNS50SqPtU

Lightning injures and kills! Stay safe! Lightning injures and kills every year. Learn what to do when there is lightning. Learn more about lightning and lightning safety:https://Canada.ca/lightnin...

The right answer is: d!

Canada averages almost 4 million lightning strikes annually, specifically 3 942 660!

Lightning flashes occur about once every three seconds in Canada. July is the month that has the most lightning strikes, followed by August and June. There is no safe place outdoors during a thunderstorm.

Remember: WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS!

Lightning has a secret radio voice! ⚡📻

It emits electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves that can be picked up by AM radios. These low-frequency waves create sharp, buzzing sounds on AM frequencies during intense lightning.

At night, AM radio waves travel farther, capturing lightning crackles from storms hundreds of km away. These natural electric impulses called sferics (short for “atmospheric”), are best heard on empty lower-end AM frequencies.

But remember: When thunder roars, go indoors! Tune in and catch those sferics while staying safe inside a building or car with a metal roof. If you can hear thunder, you're within striking distance—stay inside for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap. 🌩️

Learn more on lightning safety ➡️ https://ow.ly/noYF50Sn8TB



📷 Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes over Kamloops, British Columbia.

🌍 The 2023/24 El Niño event, which helped fuel a spike in global temperatures and extreme weather around the world, is now showing signs of ending.

There is likely to be a swing back to La Niña conditions later this year, according to a new update from the World Meteorological Organization ➡️ https://ow.ly/Y5Wb50Skxii

La Niña conditions are characterized by large-scale cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. La Niña, like El Niño, is a natural phenomenon in the climate system and tends to cause climate impacts opposite to those of El Niño. Their greatest influence on weather tends to occur during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

The past nine years have been the warmest on record, even with the cooling influence of La Niña from 2020 to early 2023. 🌡️
https://ow.ly/r1ir50Skxij

El Niño - English - animation 2023 Geneva 4 July 2023 (WMO) _ El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, setting the stage for a likely surge ...

❗Heat warnings are in effect in eastern Canada.❗

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions pose a high risk of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and exhaustion.

Follow public health advice during extreme heat 👉🏾 https://ow.ly/7CPl50SkZ9Y
Keep monitoring our alerts on our website👉🏾 https://ow.ly/iTgX50SkZ9Z or download our WeatherCAN app.

📷 Alerts map in Canada as of June 18, 2024, at 12:00 PM.

🌞 The midnight sun, also known as polar day, occurs in regions near the poles. During the summer months, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is oriented towards the Sun, areas within the Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight.

This phenomenon occurs because the Earth's tilted axis prevents the Sun from fully dipping below the horizon during the summer solstice.

The duration of the midnight sun varies depending on how far north we are. Closer to the North Pole, continuous daylight can last for several weeks, while in more southerly Arctic regions, it may last only a few days. 🌅✨

Many regions across northern Canada are currently experiencing polar days. Here are some locations and the approximate date when they will next see darkness:

Our meteorologists have presented the 2024 outlook (watch it in our post below! 👇🏿). It comes as no surprise that most of the country can expect above-average temperatures for June, July, and August period. 🌡️

🗺️ Do you understand the colours on our map?

The colours indicate the likelihood of temperatures being above or below average, rather than specifying the exact degree above or below average. Darker colours show a higher likelihood of warmer-than-normal, cooler-than-normal, or near-normal temperatures.

For example, a red area means there's a strong chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures for that season. Red does not indicate how much warmer it will be, but simply that it is very likely that temperatures will be above normal during this period. 🌡️

Tune in tomorrow at 1:00PM EDT as our and climate experts present the 2024 seasonal outlook.

🌊 Coastal flooding is a common occurrence along Canada's extensive coastlines, including the shores of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes. It happens when storm surges, strong waves, and high tides come together.

Storm surges, caused by powerful winds and low pressure during big storms, push water onto the shore, causing flooding. When these surges align with large waves hitting the coast, the damage gets worse.

As global sea levels rise and storms get stronger due to climate change, coastal flooding in Canada is expected to become more frequent and more severe.

Learn more about coastal flooding and storm surge alerts in your area 👉 https://ow.ly/tTHt50SbHf1

Last year's record season severely impacted . As a result, we are updating our forecasting model to better help you understand health risks and impacts during wildfire events.

🔴 Red banner air quality advisory: When the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) exceeds 10 for 3+ hours during wildfire smoke events, a new advisory with a red banner will be issued on our weather platforms. This is an escalation to the Special Air Quality Statement, which is issued during high risk levels and for all forecast areas.

⏱️ AQHI observations update at a faster frequency within the hour.

🙏 The AQHI now takes into account the quick rise in particles caused specifically by . During wildfire smoke, fine particulate matter can increase rapidly and AQHI levels will rise quickly as well. When this happens, the AQHI will report our observations hourly.

🌐 Air quality webpages have been updated to improve usability and access to forecast information: https://ow.ly/oxO450S9eLa

📲 Our WeatherCAN app can be used to set personal notifications for the AQHI.

🌲 We are installing small sensors to measure fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in rural and remote communities at risk of smoke from wildfires, in collaboration with University of Northern British Columbia and agencies across Canada. This will improve forecasting for smoke during wildfires.

For more information about the air quality in your area, download our WeatherCAN app: https://ow.ly/XIfZ50S9eL8



📷 Pyrocumulus clouds formed from wildfire smoke near Brazeau Dam in Alberta, in May 2023. Credit: Kyle Brittain.