Fall forecast calls for hot, dry weather in western Canada

TORONTO – Experts say the risk of wildfires will linger in much of western Canada in the coming months as hot and dry weather continues to dominate.

In its fall forecast released today, AccuWeather predicts the region will see an abnormally high number of days over 30 degrees away from the coast into early October.

The forecasting service says unusually high temperatures in the northeastern Pacific and a stubborn high-pressure system are expected to keep Pacific storms and Arctic fronts away from the region.

Thousands of wildfires have broken out in western Canada this season, prompting evacuations, an unprecedented need for emergency services and a call for help from the premiers of B.C. and Saskatchewan.

AccuWeather says the ski and snowboard season will also likely get off to a late start across higher elevations of western Canada.

The organization says Ontario and Quebec will get more of a typical fall, but that below-normal rainfall will continue into October, and that northern Quebec, Labrador and the Maritimes can expect some early periods of chilly weather.