Waterloo Region Records Fourth-Hottest Summer Since 1917

The Waterloo region has experienced its fourth-hottest meteorological summer since records began in 1917. This summer, spanning from June to August, was marked by an unprecedented number of high-temperature days, according to data from the University of Waterloo’s Eric D. Soulis Memorial Weather Station. Station coordinator Frank Seglenieks noted that the region recorded a staggering 34 days above 30 °C, significantly higher than the average of just 11 days.

The hottest day of the summer occurred on June 24, when temperatures peaked at 35 °C, making it the third highest recorded in the station’s more than 25-year history. Seglenieks remarked, “I was all ready to drop the mic and say it was the warmest summer ever. But it turns out it was the fourth warmest summer ever, going back to records.” The last summer that saw similar heat levels was in 1955, indicating a notable gap of 70 years.

The summer heat came with a series of heat warnings and high Humidex values, which at times pushed the “feels-like” temperature over 40 °C. Additionally, smoke from distant wildfires made its way into the region, a trend that has become increasingly common in recent years. “That combination made for a difficult summer for a lot of people,” Seglenieks stated.

Rainfall during the summer was close to historical averages, but the distribution was inconsistent. Seglenieks explained, “You got like one, maybe two weeks of hardly any precipitation and then a really hard precipitation and then a couple weeks of no precipitation.” This erratic pattern aligns with expectations of a changing climate.

Despite the heat, the summer also stood out for its sunshine, with fewer overcast days than usual. As the meteorological summer comes to a close, residents are preparing for the transition into meteorological fall. Seglenieks emphasized the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons, stating, “June, July, August, for instance, that is meteorological summer. And then September, October, November, that’s meteorological fall.”

Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to return to more seasonal norms. Meteorologist Steven Flisfeder from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicated that temperatures will likely fall back to a range of 23 to 25 °C as the region enters September. “That warm, comfortable start won’t last the whole week, though,” Flisfeder added, noting a potential cool down in the latter part of the week.

As the weather shifts, residents can anticipate temperatures dipping to a few degrees below normal, with highs potentially struggling to reach 20 °C on Thursday and Friday. Flisfeder mentioned the possibility of showers and even thunderstorms as a cold front approaches the area.

Overall, after one of the hottest meteorological summers on record, students will return to school this September with weather that reflects more typical conditions for the season. The significant heat and weather variations experienced over the past few months serve as a reminder of the ongoing impacts of climate change on local weather patterns.