Latest news with #Gillham
National Observer
28-05-2025
- Climate
- National Observer
Warm summer forecasted as droughts and wildfire risks loom: Weather Network
Canadians longing for sunshine and warmth will likely be pleased by a summer forecast that has an abundance of both, says Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham, but he cautioned the season "will highlight that you can get too much of a good thing." Droughts, wildfires and powerful thunderstorms could be in the works across parts of Canada this summer, with warmer-than-normal temperatures possible for the vast majority of the country, according to The Weather Network's seasonal forecast for the months of June, July and August. "I think most people are going to be happy when they see the forecast initially," said Gillham, manager of The Weather Network's forecast centre, ahead of the release of Wednesday's forecast. "But some disclaimers as well in that this summer can have some difficulties that come with extreme heat and not enough rain in parts of the country and stormy weather in other parts of the country." A warm and humid summer is forecasted for much of Ontario and Quebec and into the Maritimes, Gillham said. Muggy conditions are expected to fuel some powerful thunderstorms and keep overnight temperatures warm across much of Central Canada, he said. Some heat waves are to be expected, possibly before July, but forecasters do not expect persistent heat in the region, except for areas west of Lake Superior. Conditions get warmer and drier than normal as the forecast moves to the Ontario-Manitoba boundary, where wildfires have already offered a preview of the risks at play this summer. Several communities have evacuated in recent days as fast-moving fires tear across the region. "We need to be extra vigilant this summer and really hope that we don't get those fires started because conditions will be more conducive to fire spreading if they do start," Gillham said. What meteorologists consider normal has also changed as the planet warms up, largely due to heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions. The forecasts of above- or below-normal temperatures and precipitation are based on average conditions over the past roughly 30 years. Yet, average Canadian summer temperatures have warmed by almost two degrees since the late 1940s, weather station records indicate, contributing to more intense wildfires, droughts and heat waves. "It shifts the goalposts and the range of possibility," Gillham said. "It makes a cooler summer less likely. It makes a warmer summer more likely, but it's not a linear progression." Drought could be a serious concern across the southern part of the Prairies where well above-normal temperatures are expected to combine with below-normal levels of precipitation, Gillham said. The upshot is that conditions are better leading into the summer than they have been in some recent tough drought years, such as 2012, he said. The forecast still calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures for northern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but with near-normal precipitation. The "big picture" forecast has some similarities to the summer of 2021, Gillham said – a season marked in Western Canada by drought, wildfires, water shortages and a deadly heat wave over British Columbia. "When you look at big picture (it) has some similarities. I hesitate to bring that up because nobody in B.C. wants to hear a reference to that year. That does not mean we're going to see identical weather," said Gillham. "We think the focus might be a bit further east," centring on the southern Prairies, he said. The B.C. coast is expected to see near-normal temperatures and precipitation, with the exception of a wetter-than-normal forecast near the Yukon boundary. Into the central and southern interior, conditions are forecasted to be warmer and drier than normal, Gillham said. Heading north, the forecast is calling for above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation across much of the territories where Gillham said he'd be watching closely for wildfire activity. The exceptions are western Yukon, where the forecast is calling for near-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation, and northern Baffin Island, which could see near-normal temperatures. It's shaping up to be a more typical, but still busy hurricane season, continuing the trend of above-average activity since 2016, Gillham said. That said, the pattern of the jet stream, the high-altitude band of wind that can steer hurricanes, appears to be more conducive to a storm track into either the northeastern United States or Atlantic Canada, he said. Parts of Ontario and Quebec could end up feeling the remnants of those storms, he said. "So, you could have fewer storms, but all it takes is one storm to have a high impact," said Gillham. Climate change has helped ramp up ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, which scientists say may be intensifying hurricanes. Last year brought 18 named storms, including the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, Beryl. This year, Environment and Climate Change Canada says experts are predicting about 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean basin. Hurricane season runs from June through the end of November. The Weather Network's summer forecast says above-normal temperatures and precipitation are expected across most of the Maritimes and western Newfoundland, with some occasional cold fronts. Near-normal precipitation is projected for Newfoundland and Labrador and eastern Nova Scotia, the forecast says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
Toronto Sun
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
Warm summer in the forecast as droughts and wildfire risks loom: Weather Network
Published May 28, 2025 • 4 minute read Woodbine Beach in Toronto, Ont. on Sunday June 13, 2021. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Toronto Sun/Postmedia Canadians longing for sunshine and warmth will likely be pleased by a summer forecast that has an abundance of both, says Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham, but he cautioned the season 'will highlight that you can get too much of a good thing.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Droughts, wildfires and powerful thunderstorms could be in the works across parts of Canada this summer, with warmer-than-normal temperatures possible for the vast majority of the country, according to The Weather Network's seasonal forecast for the months of June, July and August. 'I think most people are going to be happy when they see the forecast initially,' said Gillham, manager of The Weather Network's forecast centre, ahead of the release of Wednesday's forecast. 'But some disclaimers as well in that this summer can have some difficulties that come with extreme heat and not enough rain in parts of the country and stormy weather in other parts of the country.' A warm and humid summer is forecasted for much of Ontario and Quebec and into the Maritimes, Gillham said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Muggy conditions are expected to fuel some powerful thunderstorms and keep overnight temperatures warm across much of Central Canada, he said. Some heat waves are to be expected, possibly before July, but forecasters do not expect persistent heat in the region, except for areas west of Lake Superior. Conditions get warmer and drier than normal as the forecast moves to the Ontario-Manitoba boundary, where wildfires have already offered a preview of the risks at play this summer. Several communities have evacuated in recent days as fast-moving fires tear across the region. 'We need to be extra vigilant this summer and really hope that we don't get those fires started because conditions will be more conducive to fire spreading if they do start,' Gillham said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. What meteorologists consider normal has also changed as the planet warms up, largely due to heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions. The forecasts of above- or below-normal temperatures and precipitation are based on average conditions over the past roughly 30 years. Yet, average Canadian summer temperatures have warmed by almost two degrees since the late 1940s, weather station records indicate, contributing to more intense wildfires, droughts and heat waves. 'It shifts the goalposts and the range of possibility,' Gillham said. 'It makes a cooler summer less likely. It makes a warmer summer more likely, but it's not a linear progression.' Drought could be a serious concern across the southern part of the Prairies where well above-normal temperatures are expected to combine with below-normal levels of precipitation, Gillham said. The upshot is that conditions are better leading into the summer than they have been in some recent tough drought years, such as 2012, he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The forecast still calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures for northern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but with near-normal precipitation. The 'big picture' forecast has some similarities to the summer of 2021, Gillham said — a season marked in Western Canada by drought, wildfires, water shortages and a deadly heat wave over British Columbia. 'When you look at big picture (it) has some similarities. I hesitate to bring that up because nobody in B.C. wants to hear a reference to that year. That does not mean we're going to see identical weather,' said Gillham. 'We think the focus might be a bit further east,' centring on the southern Prairies, he said. The B.C. coast is expected to see near-normal temperatures and precipitation, with the exception of a wetter-than-normal forecast near the Yukon boundary. Into the central and southern interior, conditions are forecasted to be warmer and drier than normal, Gillham said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Heading north, the forecast is calling for above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation across much of the territories where Gillham said he'd be watching closely for wildfire activity. The exceptions are western Yukon, where the forecast is calling for near-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation, and northern Baffin Island, which could see near-normal temperatures. It's shaping up to be a more typical, but still busy hurricane season, continuing the trend of above-average activity since 2016, Gillham said. That said, the pattern of the jet stream, the high-altitude band of wind that can steer hurricanes, appears to be more conducive to a storm track into either the northeastern United States or Atlantic Canada, he said. Parts of Ontario and Quebec could end up feeling the remnants of those storms, he said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'So, you could have fewer storms, but all it takes is one storm to have a high impact,' said Gillham. Climate change has helped ramp up ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, which scientists say may be intensifying hurricanes. Last year brought 18 named storms, including the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, Beryl. This year, Environment and Climate Change Canada says experts are predicting about 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean basin. Hurricane season runs from June through the end of November. The Weather Network's summer forecast says above-normal temperatures and precipitation are expected across most of the Maritimes and western Newfoundland, with some occasional cold fronts. Near-normal precipitation is projected for Newfoundland and Labrador and eastern Nova Scotia, the forecast says. Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs News Olympics
Winnipeg Free Press
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Warm summer in the forecast as droughts and wildfire risks loom: Weather Network
Canadians longing for sunshine and warmth will likely be pleased by a summer forecast that has an abundance of both, says Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham, but he cautioned the season 'will highlight that you can get too much of a good thing.' Droughts, wildfires and powerful thunderstorms could be in the works across parts of Canada this summer, with warmer-than-normal temperatures possible for the vast majority of the country, according to The Weather Network's seasonal forecast for the months of June, July and August. 'I think most people are going to be happy when they see the forecast initially,' said Gillham, manager of The Weather Network's forecast centre, ahead of the release of Wednesday's forecast. 'But some disclaimers as well in that this summer can have some difficulties that come with extreme heat and not enough rain in parts of the country and stormy weather in other parts of the country.' A warm and humid summer is forecasted for much of Ontario and Quebec and into the Maritimes, Gillham said. Muggy conditions are expected to fuel some powerful thunderstorms and keep overnight temperatures warm across much of Central Canada, he said. Some heat waves are to be expected, possibly before July, but forecasters do not expect persistent heat in the region, except for areas west of Lake Superior. Conditions get warmer and drier than normal as the forecast moves to the Ontario-Manitoba boundary, where wildfires have already offered a preview of the risks at play this summer. Several communities have evacuated in recent days as fast-moving fires tear across the region. 'We need to be extra vigilant this summer and really hope that we don't get those fires started because conditions will be more conducive to fire spreading if they do start,' Gillham said. What meteorologists consider normal has also changed as the planet warms up, largely due to heat-trapping fossil fuel emissions. The forecasts of above- or below-normal temperatures and precipitation are based on average conditions over the past roughly 30 years. Yet, average Canadian summer temperatures have warmed by almost two degrees since the late 1940s, weather station records indicate, contributing to more intense wildfires, droughts and heat waves. 'It shifts the goalposts and the range of possibility,' Gillham said. 'It makes a cooler summer less likely. It makes a warmer summer more likely, but it's not a linear progression.' Drought could be a serious concern across the southern part of the Prairies where well above-normal temperatures are expected to combine with below-normal levels of precipitation, Gillham said. The upshot is that conditions are better leading into the summer than they have been in some recent tough drought years, such as 2012, he said. The forecast still calls for warmer-than-normal temperatures for northern parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but with near-normal precipitation. The 'big picture' forecast has some similarities to the summer of 2021, Gillham said – a season marked in Western Canada by drought, wildfires, water shortages and a deadly heat wave over British Columbia. 'When you look at big picture (it) has some similarities. I hesitate to bring that up because nobody in B.C. wants to hear a reference to that year. That does not mean we're going to see identical weather,' said Gillham. 'We think the focus might be a bit further east,' centring on the southern Prairies, he said. The B.C. coast is expected to see near-normal temperatures and precipitation, with the exception of a wetter-than-normal forecast near the Yukon boundary. Into the central and southern interior, conditions are forecasted to be warmer and drier than normal, Gillham said. Heading north, the forecast is calling for above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation across much of the territories where Gillham said he'd be watching closely for wildfire activity. The exceptions are western Yukon, where the forecast is calling for near-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation, and northern Baffin Island, which could see near-normal temperatures. It's shaping up to be a more typical, but still busy hurricane season, continuing the trend of above-average activity since 2016, Gillham said. That said, the pattern of the jet stream, the high-altitude band of wind that can steer hurricanes, appears to be more conducive to a storm track into either the northeastern United States or Atlantic Canada, he said. Parts of Ontario and Quebec could end up feeling the remnants of those storms, he said. 'So, you could have fewer storms, but all it takes is one storm to have a high impact,' said Gillham. Climate change has helped ramp up ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, which scientists say may be intensifying hurricanes. Last year brought 18 named storms, including the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record, Beryl. This year, Environment and Climate Change Canada says experts are predicting about 13 to 19 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean basin. Hurricane season runs from June through the end of November. The Weather Network's summer forecast says above-normal temperatures and precipitation are expected across most of the Maritimes and western Newfoundland, with some occasional cold fronts. Near-normal precipitation is projected for Newfoundland and Labrador and eastern Nova Scotia, the forecast says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025.
Toronto Sun
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Toronto Sun
'Miserable' cold, rainy weather awaits GTA before seasonable rebound by month's end
High temperatures between 9 C and 11 C expected to end week, which is typical of April Toronto's downtown office buildings are seen in the early evening. Photo by intuilapse / iStock / Getty Images The end of May isn't normally a time for a cool change. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But that's exactly what the GTA is getting over the next three days as the region struggles to get into the double digits. '(Wednesday) will just be miserable — I can't sugar-coat it,' said The Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham. 'We're going to have three days that are going to be cloudy and with periods of rain and we're going to be struggling to reach double digits — Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. The high temperatures are between 9-11 C across the GTA, which is more typical of April. It is most unusual this time of year. That's more than 10 degrees colder than normal than your high daytime temperatures. 'Part of the problem is it's cloudy and rain. It's not like we're going to deal with frost at night, but temperatures can't go up because there's no sun.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Gillham said a 'very wavy' jet-stream pattern is to blame leading to cold air from the north being pulled down into southern Ontario and the entire eastern seaboard of the U.S. The good news is it will become more seasonal again in the GTA by the weekend, when temperatures go up to the mid-teens with a mix of sun and cloud. 'So it's still cooler than normal, but it's a little bit more decent. It'll be like early May weather,' said Gillham. 'The temperatures will slowly climb back to seasonal next week. We'll see temperatures recover into the upper teens and even into the 20s a few days next week. We're going to trend back to where we should be for the end of May. And then into the beginning of June. Normal now would be the low 20s. Next week will feel so much better than what we endured this week.' Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Basketball Columnists Columnists
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
English second tier gets Champ Rugby rebrand in new 14-club league
English rugby union's second tier will be rebranded as Champ Rugby from next season in a move designed to raise standards and add greater aspiration and jeopardy for clubs. Beneath the glitzy launch, however, many questions still remain. Simon Gillham, the Tier 2 chair, said that the new-look league of 14 clubs would bring a 'gripping conclusion to the season' – with the top six entering a playoff tournament for the right to face the bottom-placed Premiership club for a promotion place. However, Gillham confirmed that discussions have not yet concluded on terms for promotion, with minimum operating standards still to be agreed. Related: The Breakdown | Rugby union's bonus points barely change the Premiership table. Should we scrap them? The thorny issue of whether a promoted club will have to purchase a P-share, allowing them to participate in the Premiership's financial benefits and governance, has also not been decided. Ealing Trailfinders did not meet the minimum standards for promotion this season despite winning the Championship, and Gillham refused to speculate on the chances of a club from Champ Rugby going up next year. However he insisted: 'We will do everything to be at the table and to make sure that there's proper aspiration and there's proper jeopardy. That is absolutely what we are determined to do.' Another complicating factor is that Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, recently warned that promotion and relegation 'does not work', while Premiership clubs are angling for a ringfenced league based on franchises. But Conor O'Shea, who sits on the Tier 2 board as well as being the RFU executive director of performance rugby, said that 'grown-up conversations' would take place to ensure the dream of promotion remained a possibility. 'As it stands, at the end of next season there will be a promotion/relegation playoff based on minimum standards,' said O'Shea. 'We know that only Doncaster met them this year. The discussions are, how do we improve that? How do you make it accessible without breaking clubs?' 'There is a heck of a lot of work to do,' he added. 'Our focus is the step change we want to make in the Champ. It's already a great competition, but we want all the standards across the board to grow.' Organisers are yet to announce a title sponsor. However with the bottom club being relegated, and the 13th placed club facing a relegation playoff against the National League One runner-up, the hope is that more matches will matter, leading to greater interest and bigger crowds to raise revenue. As part of England Rugby's strategy to attract new audiences, the launch video is voiced by the rugby influencer and YouTuber Max Brown. 'This is where we raise the bar,' Brown says as pounding music plays. 'Where standards are set. Where mettle is tested. Where stars rise. And where hype is realised. We build players who refuse to back down and clubs that demand respect. Communities fuelled by passion. Rivalries played out on a national stage. 'We live for the good of the game. Pushing it further. Driving English Rugby forwards. Match by match, moment by moment. This is the ultimate test. Welcome to the proving ground. This is Champ Rugby.'
