Canada releases June
and July results from rapid extreme weather event attribution
system
OTTAWA,
ON, Aug. 12, 2024 /CNW/ - Environment and
Climate Change Canada has analyzed the heat waves that impacted
Canada in June and July using
its Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system. The system
uses climate models to compare today's climate to a pre-industrial
one to explain how much human-caused climate change affected each
heat wave's likelihood.
Using this system, climate scientists analyzed the heat waves
experienced in the following regions and determined, in all
instances, that human-caused climate change made these heat waves
much more likely. This means that human influence on the
climate made these events at least 2 to 10 times more likely to
happen.
Understanding the causes and risks of extreme weather events can
help Canadians make informed decisions that protect the health,
safety, and long-term well-being of our communities. Prolonged heat
waves are a major contributor to more intense wildfires across
Canada. The 2023 wildfires in
Canada burned almost 15 million
hectares of forest and cost Canadians tens of billions of dollars
in damages.
We urge the public to regularly monitor weather forecasts, take
all weather alerts seriously, and get prepared for
weather-related events by developing an emergency plan and being
ready to adjust their travel plans. Canadians can download the
WeatherCAN app to receive weather alert notifications directly
on their mobile devices. Alerts help Canadians prepare to face
severe weather events, save lives, and reduce the impacts on
property and livelihoods.
Northern British
Columbia (July 17 to
22)
- Peak temperature: 24.2 °C
- Degrees above average: 7.2 °C
Southern British
Columbia (July 14 to
22)
- Peak temperature: 29.2 °C
- Degrees above average: 9.2 °C
Alberta (July
7 to 11)
- Peak temperature: 31.5 °C
- Degrees above average: 9.8 °C
Saskatchewan (July 17 to 22)
- Peak temperature: 30.9 °C
- Degrees above average: 8.0 °C
Fort Smith,
Northwest
Territories (July 15 to July
20)
- Peak temperature: 28.4 °C
- Degrees above average: 9.2 °C
Yukon (July 21 to July 26)
- Peak temperature: 23.0 °C
- Degrees above average: 6.5 °C
Kivalliq, Nunavut (June
30 to July 2)
- Peak temperature: 22.1 °C
- Degrees above average: 7.5 °C
Yukon (June 26 to 30)
- Peak temperature: 21.4 °C
- Degrees above average: 5.3 °C
Inuvik, Northwest Territories (June 28 to 30)
- Peak temperature: 22.0 °C
- Degrees above average: 7.2 °C
Quick facts
- The Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system is currently
in its pilot stage. During this stage, the system will only analyze
heat waves. Work to extend this system to analyze extreme cold
temperature events and extreme precipitation is underway.
- As the planet continues to warm, we experience changes in the
strength and frequency of extreme weather events. Human activities,
mainly greenhouse gas emissions, are causing more extreme heat
events, which can drive wildfires and drought; less extreme cold;
shorter snow and ice-cover seasons; thinning glaciers; and thawing
permafrost.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada is the country's official
source for weather information and severe weather warnings and is
committed to providing Canadians with accurate and timely weather
information, including severe weather alerts.
- The latest forecasts and severe weather warnings are available
through Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather website,
the WeatherCAN app (available for Android and iOS devices),
Weatheradio, and Hello Weather (1-833-794-3556).
Associated links
- Extreme Weather Event Attribution
- Environment and Climate Change Canada's Weather
Information
- WeatherCAN App
- Public Safety Canada – Get Prepared
- Wildfire Smoke, Air Quality, and Your Health:
Overview
- Severe Weather
- Seasonal Weather Hazards
- National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities
and a Strong Economy
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada