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Global News
4 days ago
- Climate
- Global News
Eastern Canada faces widespread drought conditions after dry start to summer
Since early June, Eastern Canada has seen significantly less rainfall than usual — a sharp contrast to last summer, when many regions recorded above-average precipitation. According to Global News Meteorologist Ross Hull, many cities including Toronto, Halifax, and St. John's are experiencing 50 per cent or less of normal rainfall since the start of meteorological summer on June 1st, and many cities have also not experienced any measurable rainfall so far this month. In Nova Scotia, Halifax Water has asked residents to voluntarily conserve water due to low supply levels amid a drought in the province. The utility said due to a long period of dry weather, the water levels are only expected to get worse in the coming days. 2:20 Why is it so challenging to forecast wildfire smoke? Unravelling the haze Hull says we don't yet have the scientific ability to connect this recent dry weather event directly to climate change, but we do know that a warming climate can lead to both hot, dry weather as well as flooding events. Story continues below advertisement 'We've experienced both of those weather situations over the last couple of years alone,' he added. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Conserving water, water restrictions and burn bans for fire mitigation are a few of the guidelines recommended by officials during droughts. According to Hull, a dry summer like this one would be difficult to sustain if it happened every year, especially considering that the summer is generally the season with the most precipitation. He says it's important to remember that during that time, soaking rains due to only one line of thunderstorms can help to replenish some of the rain deficit, however, the risk with that is potential flooding if one area experiences too much rain at once especially if the ground is already dry. But when the weather stays dry for long periods, Hull says 'irrigation becomes more important under these conditions which can be costly to farmers.' 'Moderate to extreme drought' According to Environment Canada's June 2025 drought assessment, below-normal precipitation and warm temperatures resulted in an overall increase in drought extent and severity in June. Precipitation was below normal for much of southeastern Ontario and much of Atlantic Canada. By the end of the month, 62 per cent of the country was classified as 'Abnormally Dry' or 'Moderate to Extreme Drought', including 66 per cent of the country's agricultural landscape. Story continues below advertisement 3:18 When will Canadians get relief from wildfire smoke? In June, the southern regions of New Brunswick and much of Nova Scotia received less than 85 per cent of normal precipitation. That same month, southern Ontario and parts of southwestern Quebec received 85 to 200 per cent of normal precipitation, while some localized areas experienced much drier conditions of less 60 per cent of normal monthly precipitation. Northwestern Ontario, excluding the Thunder Bay area, also recorded less than 85 per cent of normal precipitation. Northern Quebec received 40 to 150 per cent of normal precipitation. However, extremely high temperatures in the last week of June contributed to rapidly developing drought conditions in parts of southern and eastern Ontario.
Global News
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Severe storms possible for southern Ontario, including Toronto
With temperatures rising, southern Ontario could see some wicked weather this afternoon as conditions are ripe for strong storms, according to Global News meteorologist Ross Hull. 'Temperatures are expected to surge to the mid to even high 20s today across southern Ontario and the GTA as the area will be in the warm sector of a low-pressure system moving to the north of the area,' he explained. 'Humidex values will be approaching 30 as temperatures rise ahead of a cold front. There will also be gusty southwesterly winds as the above average temperatures settle in. That warmth and humidity will bring the potential for strong storms as a potent cold front slices through this sultry air mass today.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Hull said that combination is expected to bring storms to the area on Tuesday afternoon and evening. 'We are watching for the development of storms this afternoon into the early evening hours which could bring some strong wind gusts for the GTA and parts of southern Ontario,' the meteorologist explained. 'Some of the stronger storms could also drop some large hail. Story continues below advertisement 'We are not ruling out an isolated tornado as the atmospheric ingredients will be conducive for it especially for parts of eastern Ontario.' On Tuesday morning, he said it still uncertain how strong the storms will grow. 'The strength of the storms will also depend on how much sunshine areas see ahead of the front wish would lead to some additional atmospheric energy,' Hull explained. He noted that the balmy weather Ontarians are seeing on Tuesday, will be gone as they make their way into the office on Wednesday. 'After the passage of the front temperatures will drop dramatically across the area … overnight into early Wednesday morning with values expected to be in the low single digits,' Hull offered. 'Calmer weather is expected Wednesday with clearing skies however with a daytime high near the low double digits cooler than average temperatures can be expected.'
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ontario's winter fury: Up to 50cm more snow on way for weekend
While many Ontarians are probably sore and tired after shovelling out from the overnight snowstorm on Thursday, they won't have long to relax. The next system is pushing its way into the Great Lakes and could produce 5-10 centimetres of snow for southern Ontario on Saturday. There's a special weather statement in place for Montreal and southern Quebec ahead of the next system and will likely be spread west into southern Ontario with more potential significant snow. Ross Hull has more.
