La Niña has been the dominant driver of our seasonal weather patterns for the past three years according to the Weather Network which suggests the global pattern is transitioning to a “rather significant El Niño event.”

The Weather Network’s summer forecast warns western wildfires will likely continue to be “a major concern” this year. Meteorologist Rachel Modestino says they are forecasting higher-than-normal temperatures in July and August.

Drier than normal conditions are expected across northern Saskatchewan, but southern areas are expected to see near normal rain totals. Strong to severe storms are likely at times, which is typical of the region during the summer.

The Weather Network says drought is a concern in some areas this summer since the dominant storm track is expected to be primarily south of the international border.

While the risk of wildfire will continue to be a significant concern in BC as well the weather forecaster says it is cautiously optimistic that the heart of the summer will include periods of much-needed rain and result in near-normal rainfall for the summer with localized areas of above-normal rain total. In Alberta a hot summer is expected but cold fronts will bring relief from the heat at times. They are also hopeful that the wors of Alberta’s fire season is behind them.