Spring Marks 16th Consecutive Season of Warmer Temperatures

Summer Temperatures Are Expected To Be Above Normal Over Most of Canada

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OTTAWA - June 14, 2001 -Canadian temperatures were again above normal this spring, continuing an uninterrupted record of above normal seasonal temperatures since the summer of 1997. Temperatures are also expected to be above normal over most of Canada during the summer season.

The Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin for Canada, released this week by the Meteorological Service of Canada at Environment Canada, provides a cross-country look at temperatures and precipitation for the spring 2001 season (March, April, and May 2001) and compares it to climate data from the past 54 years.

Environment Canada also issued its Quarterly Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlook forecast for the months of June, July and August 2001.

Highlights from The Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin for Canada include:

• Nationally averaged mean temperatures have been above normal during the last 16 seasons without interruption (from summer 1997 to spring 2001).
• Spring 2001 in Canada was the 7^th warmest on record, with temperatures 1.6° C above normal (based on preliminary data). Most of the country experienced 1-2° C above normal temperatures, with Northern Ontario and Quebec having temperatures more than 4° C above normal. Both the east and west coasts of Canada had temperatures near normal this spring. The warmest spring in Canada was recorded in 1998, with temperatures at 3.2° C above normal. The coolest spring was recorded in 1974, with temperatures 1.8° C below normal.
• The region in Canada with the highest above-normal temperature this spring was recorded in the Nunavut region (+2.3 °C). The Atlantic Canada region experienced the lowest above-normal temperature, this spring (+0.2 ° C).
• A band of wetter than normal conditions, running from north to south through Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and northern Ontario, split up the drier than normal conditions felt in the Maritimes, western Saskatchewan, Alberta, eastern British Columbia, and the Yukon.
• Overall, spring 2001 in Canada was the 18^th wettest on record, with precipitation at 6.3% above normal. The wettest spring was in 1979, with precipitation 28.8% above normal. The driest spring was in 1956 with precipitation 21.3% below average.
• Both the Yukon/ North B.C. Mountains (-24.6%) and the Prairies (-21.5%) Regions experienced their 13th driest spring. The region, including the eastern Arctic islands experienced its 8^th wettest spring with precipitation 34% above normal.

Highlights from the Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlook for June, July and August 2001:

• Temperatures are expected to be above normal over most of Canada except over northern Québec, Labrador, eastern Nunavut, western Alberta, most of British Columbia and the Yukon where temperatures are expected to be near normal.
• Precipitation is expected to be above normal over most of Newfoundland, central and southern Ontario, certain sections of northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, most of British Columbia, southern Yukon and certain sections of the Northwest Territories and of Nunavut. Precipitation should be below normal over most of Labrador, the southern portions of the Prairie Provinces, northern Yukon and Northwest Territories, and western Nunavut. Elsewhere, precipitation is expected to be near normal.

As the accuracy of long-range forecasts varies from region to region and from season to season, we suggest that you consult the Skill Maps for the latest information on Environment Canada's seasonal forecasts.

Related Documents:

• Climate Trends and Variations Bulletin for Canada - Spring 2001 [newsletter, 2001-06-04]
• Skill Maps [maps]