The Weather Network's Summer Outlook: "Shifting" Summer Weather Patterns

Meteorologists share what to expect this summer and tips on how to weather the weather

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http://smr.newswire.ca/en/the-weather-network/the-weather-networks-summer-outlook

OAKVILLE, ON, May 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - The Weather Network has just announced its summer outlook for the months of June, July and August.  After a spring season which has seen flooding in parts of Manitoba and Quebec along with cooler and wetter conditions in parts of Ontario and British Columbia, Canadians can expect conditions to be changeable this summer due to weakening of the La Niña weather phenomenon.  This means that that some places could see alternating spells of warm and cool weather, while other areas will experience a "typical" summer season.

So, what should Canadians know about the weather in their region this summer?

The Western Canada Summer Canadians living west of the Ontario/Manitoba border can expect temperatures that are above normal for the Northern Prairie provinces and below normal on the north/central coast of British Columbia. Elsewhere, we should average out near normal this summer. Unfortunately, wet conditions are expected to continue for Canadians living in Southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, near normal precipitation will dominate for the rest of western Canada. A large area of the Territories will see below normal precipitation this summer with Nunavut experiencing above normal temperatures.

The Eastern Canada Summer For Canadians living east of the Ontario/Manitoba border, the changing weather patterns means residents can expect alternating spells of warm and cool weather, more pronounced than usual at times, balancing out to be near normal.  Those living in Northern Ontario and Quebec can look forward to above normal temperatures for the season. Precipitation for most of Quebec and Atlantic Canada will be near normal for the season, while a large swath of Ontario and Southern Quebec is expected to receive above normal precipitation due to a more active storm track.

Conquering the Changeable Canadian Summer After a particularly cold and stormy winter, Canadians long for a Canadian Summer. Following are five tips to enjoying the weather this summer. For more information, visit www.theweathernetwork.com, or your preferred WeatherEye application:

1. Protect your skin and eyes. Fun in the sun also means exposure to damaging UV rays (strongest from April to August), that can cause sunburns, eye cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer.   Take care by checking The Weather Network's UV Report, created to inform Canadians about the strength of the sun's UV rays.  The higher the UV Index number, the stronger the sun's rays, and the greater the need to take precautions.
2. Don't let traffic rain on your parade. Don't let traffic be a thorn in your summer travel plans. Before you hit the road, consult The Weather Network's Highway Forecast to avoid inclement weather on your route.  Heading across the border? Check out the US Highway Forecast to determine the road conditions while you'll be on the road.
3. Predict the future. The Weather Network's Hourly Forecast helps you plan your day down to the hour. Don't let stormy skies threaten your summer get together. The hourly forecast will help determine whether to dine indoors or bring the BBQ to the backyard.
4. Breathe easy. Many Canadians suffer from the summer snifflies. Believe it or not, the weather - winds, temperature, rainfall and sunshine - has a profound affect on the type of allergy season we have. The Weather Network's Pollen Forecast, shows daily pollen concentration by source (grass, ragweed, etc.). Before heading into the great outdoors, check out the local Pollen Forecast so that you can take the proper precautions to enjoy your time outside.
5. Don't be bugged. Black flies, mosquitoes and deer flies, oh my! Sharing a sleeping bag with a family of creepy crawlies isn't the average Canadian's idea of "getting closer to nature." Avoid summer swatting by referring to The Weather Network's bug report, a daily breakdown of bug activity by region.

About The Weather Network and MétéoMédia

The Weather Network and its French counterpart, MétéoMédia, are among the most popular media brands in Canada. They are the undisputed leader of weather information services in Canada across all mediums including cable, satellite, online, mobile and newspapers. The specialty television networks are among the most widely distributed and frequently consulted television networks in Canada. The websites, theweathernetwork.com and meteomedia.com, are among Canada's leading web services. All mobile carriers now distribute The Weather Network and MétéoMédia on their services. As the leading source of weather services in the commercial market, energy companies, municipalities, road services and numerous other commercial clients have their weather information needs met by The Weather Network and MétéoMédia. The growth of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia can be attributed to the continued focus and commitment put into providing the very best weather information to Canadians whose activities are dependent on weather.

/NOTE TO EDITORS: Media Assets accompanying this story are available as follows:

Photo:  http://smr.newswire.ca/media/articles/1326/summertemp11-hd-final.jpg

Photo: http://smr.newswire.ca/media/articles/1326/summerprep11-hd-final.jpg

Video: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/smr/TWN_West_SeasonalOutlook.flv

Video: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/smr/TWN_East_SeasonalOutlook.flv

SOURCE The Weather Network