Echo Dale swim lake (Chat News file photo)

By Chantal Wagner

astronomical summer forecast

Warmer & dryer than normal conditions expected this summer

Jun 21, 2021 | 3:17 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat and region can expect lots of hot days ahead as we begin summer today.

According to Environment Canada, the forecast is expected to be warmer and dryer than normal.

Kyle Fougere is a meteorologist, he says over the next week or so, our region will be under a ridge of high pressure and it’s going to be quite hot.

Temperatures will be in the mid-30s this weekend.

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He reminds us to take breaks and stay hydrated.

As for precipitation, Fougere says Medicine Hat had an average amount in the spring.

“With 77 millimetres of precipitation, this spring compared to 83 on average. So far this summer, June has been pretty dry so far. June is typically the wettest month in the Medicine Hat area with 65 millimetres of precipitation on average and so far this year only 15 millimetres have fallen so far.”

Fougere adds July, August, and September have about the same amount of precipitation with around 34-37 millimetres per month.

Alberta is also entering thunderstorm season and we can still expect severe thunderstorms in the province.

In a typical summer, Fougere says Environment Canada issues over 1,500 watches and warnings across Alberta.