Warmer, drier summer forecast for Toronto
Remember last summer? Well, this summer isn't shaping up to be quite as perfect, with the possibility of more smog days.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
Last summer was “the summer of summers,” according to Environment Canada’s Dave Phillips. But while this year’s forecast looks promising, it might not live up to last year’s sunshine and smog-free days.
Phillips, senior climatologist at Environment Canada, offered a prediction that this June, July and August will be warmer than most summers – welcome news after this spring’s dreary weather.
This summer looks like it could have less than normal precipitation, meaning there could be more smog days, Phillips said.
Last summer included eight smog days, much fewer than the average 18 to 20 smog days usually seen each year.
Toronto will definitely see some severe weather but that’s part of a normal summer as well, he said.
“That’s a given. We just don’t know how much and exactly the timing of it,” Phillips said.
Phillips cautioned that this prediction is still preliminary, but it looks like last year’s summer will be hard – but not impossible – to beat.
“I think when you look at last summer, there was so much about it that was good. It was warmer, which we needed. It was wetter, which never gets you into problems especially if it occurs at night. The air quality was good. The number of severe events was down.”
The official forecast will be released on June 1.
--Aleysha Haniff, Staff Reporter
Last summer was great? When? Maybe every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was nice, but the weekends were crappy. I was able to sit out in my backyard a total of 3 times last summer. Three times! Every weekend was cool, rainy, or cloudy. It was a nightmare trying to find 4 days in a row without rain so I could safely re-stain my deck, not to mention how hard it is to cut the lawn when it's constantly wet. I'll bet it's been 5 years since we've had a "real" summer with hot temperatures and sunny skies. I think Dave Phillips needs to retire. I'm not buying his smiley face anymore. :(
Posted by: Mark D. | 05/04/2011 at 08:33 AM
Great news! Now, lets get it started!
Posted by: Shakeyhands | 05/04/2011 at 08:36 AM
Just call it summer, not global warming.
Posted by: Boo Yah | 05/04/2011 at 09:58 AM
why do meteorologists even bother trying to forecast a season anymore?
Posted by: mark | 05/04/2011 at 11:06 AM
Mark D must not live in GTA. True many Sundays and esp late Sundays were wet, but we went to local beaches and parks more last year than ever before (but mostly on Saturdays). I don't mind a bit drier summer if it means the grass will grow slower!
Posted by: HappyDad | 05/04/2011 at 01:55 PM
It has been quite a while since we've had long hot summers with lots of sun and little rain. It used to get so you'd wonder if it would ever rain and whether the well would go dry . . . It is challenging having a rain free vacation now or even a weekend. Better than drought, I guess.
Posted by: W G Rigby | 05/04/2011 at 01:55 PM
Mark D,
Last summer was amazing - where were you living in Nunavut??
Posted by: Mark B | 05/04/2011 at 02:07 PM
How is a hotter than normal summer EVER a good thing?? I was never able to use my patio last year because of the extreme heat and humidity! Thank God we have A/C! Looks like this year will be just as bad!
Posted by: A. J. | 05/04/2011 at 02:15 PM