Jasperites, have your sunscreen and water bottles ready— it’s going to be a long hot summer.
Throughout the months of June, July and August temperatures are expected to be between two and four degrees warmer than normal, according to Accuweather, an American company that provides weather forecasting services across North America.
“Part of the reason we’re forecasting a very warm summer is the fact that we’ve had a very warm and fairly dry spring and winter,” said Brett Anderson, senior meteorologist for the company. “With the soil moisture fairly low across the region, the sun’s energy goes directly to heating instead of evaporating water out of the soil.”
Usually Jasper’s average temperature throughout the summer months hovers around 23-25 C, however, the town has already experienced highs near 30 C in May and that’s not expected to change any time soon.
Anderson said to expect twice as many days reaching at least 30 C this summer, but added the heat isn’t likely to carry into the night.
With drier weather there will be large temperature fluctuations and according to Anderson, August nights will get chilly earlier this year.
As things continue to dry out and the heat keeps climbing, Anderson said fire season is likely to get worse throughout the province.
“Thus, air quality is going to be an issue from time to time as we deal with inversions or wind direction,” he said. “Haze will also be more prevalent than usual, but on a positive note, all that haze will make sunsets look even prettier.”
Jasper’s unseasonably warm winter and forecasted hot summer also increases the likelihood the mountain pine beetle will continue its eastward march through the park this summer.
Since January 11, there have only been eight days where temperatures remained below zero allowing many beetles to survive the winter.
Once the mature beetles emerge for the season in mid-June they begin colonizing mature pine trees—essentially turning the trees into kindling for forest fires.
While the beetles might be in full swing, Anderson added that these drier than normal conditions might limit the amount of mosquitos this summer.
Despite the dribbles of rain that the town has witnessed over the past week, Anderson is predicting less than normal rainfall amounts for Jasper and the rest of the province. He added that the area is already experiencing a drought, which is only expected to get worse.
“Certainly the storm system we’re dealing with now is going to bring some temporary relief, but over the long term I do not expect that to be a significant relief to the dry conditions,” Anderson said.
The news doesn’t bode well for Alberta’s farmers who had to deal with a severe drought last summer and into the fall. Last August, agricultural producers across Alberta claimed almost $1 billion in provincial crop and disaster insurance.
“Things aren’t looking good again for the agricultural community,” Anderson said. “And this is just the beginning of the season.”
That’s not to say there won’t be any rain, however, Anderson said whatever storms do roll through the province this summer are likely to be thunder storms accompanied by lightening which could lead to more fires.
The best way to cope with this forecasted season is to be prepared, said Anderson. He advised people to drink lots of water and to take things slower on those hazy hot days.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
