Summer. Depending on where you live, you may be dreaming or dreading it. It is a season that many people take vacations and spend a lot of time outdoors. But will the summer weather cooperate for your picnics and parades? Will this season bring any relief to the drought-stricken West? Will the 4th of July be a good day for a picnic? Here’s the Farmers’ Almanac summer forecast for both the US and Canada.
United States Summer Forecast
Hot, Hot, Hot
No question about it: This summer weather is going to be remembered as a hot one nationwide. Only in New England and around the Great Lakes will the overall average temperatures tilt toward “seasonably warm,” but that’s based on a wave of unseasonably cool air that arrives in September. (Check out our tips on ways to stay cool when it’s hot.)
Summer (Summer Solstice) officially starts on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at 5:14 a.m. ET. The transition from spring to summer will be stormy in many areas of the United States, especially along the East Coast and Great Lakes regions, where we are predicting some big thunderstorms.
During the middle to latter part of July (Dog Days of Summer), most of the nation will experience brutally hot conditions. (Many localities during that time will be dealing with highs in the 90’s and even triple digits.)
Get the summer weather for your area by month here.
August will continue to be blistering hot over the central and western states, but after mid-month, the worst of the heat should thankfully be behind us.
How did people survive without AC?
Drought Relief?
According to our summer forecast, there won’t be much relief for areas dealing with drought conditions. Precipitation will below average over the Northeast. The Pacific States will be unusually dry as will much of the Southwest. (Even the seasonal monsoon rains over the Desert Southwest will deliver less than the normal complement of rainfall and will do no good in alleviating drought conditions in this section of the nation.)
Areas in the middle of the country including the Great Lakes, North Central, and South Central are forecast to receive about normal summer precipitation.
Check out our helpful tips for dealing with droughts:
What Vegetables Can Grow In Dry Climates
Drought Resistant Plants
10 Ways To Conserve Water In Your Gardens
The Southeast, however, will see wetter-than-normal conditions.
Toward the end of September, much cooler weather will begin to make its presence felt, possibly even leading to first sighting of wet snowflakes over parts of northern Rockies.
Hurricanes?
The traditional peak of the hurricane season occurs on September 10. We expect a potential hurricane threat along the Atlantic Seaboard in mid-September.
See the hurricane names for 2022.
Canada Summer Forecast – Heat Is On
Well, the summer heat won’t be stopped at the border. Our extended forecast points to sizzling summer– especially across Central and Western Canada in the middle and latter part of July. Many localities during that time will be dealing with highs of 30 to 35C.
However, around the Great Lakes and points east, the overall averages will just tilt toward “seasonably warm” temperatures. This will be due to a wave of unseasonably cool air that will arrive in September, which will more than balance out a spell of brutally hot conditions.
In early July, Canada Day could be marred by severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and tornadoes for western Ontario. Festivities in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan will be threatened by squally weather traveling east out of the Rockies. Check your zone’s summer forecast for Canada Day here.
If you are planning a barbeque or camping trip for your holiday in early August, prepare for blistering hot temperatures. You may want to consider heading towards a river or lake for a necessary dunk! Luckily, rain should help to offset some of the heat in most places. Thunder, followed by clearing skies—hopefully in time for Civic holiday on the 6th—are expected in Newfoundland and Labrador. But rain showers may dampen New Brunswick Day and Natal Day in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Showers are expected in the Rockies and across the Prairies, then turning fair, in time for Saskatchewan Day, Heritage Day in Alberta, and Manitoba’s Civic Holiday. British Columbia Day festivities will be held under changeable skies along with a few widely scattered showers.
After mid-August, the worst of the heat should thankfully be behind us. The Gold Cup Parade on the 19th on Prince Edward Island will enjoy sunny skies. Precipitation will be below normal, on average, over Quebec and the Maritimes. Wet weather will predominate Ontario and the Great Lakes. Looking to the west, British Columbia will be unusually dry.
Toward the end of September, much cooler weather will begin to make its presence felt, possibly even leading to first sightings of wet snowflakes over parts of the Rockies.
Hurricanes?
Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th, with the traditional peak being September 10th. During mid-September, a tropical cyclone seems possible somewhere near the Maritimes and as October gets underway another threat seems possible for Newfoundland.
For a detailed zone-by-zone forecast, visit our Long-Range Weather page.
Your Summer Survival Kit – Tips, Tricks & Hacks to Maximize Your Summer Fun!
Critter & Itch Control
- Natural Tick Remedies That Work!
- Beware of These Itchy Plants!
- Make Your Own Natural Bug Repellent
- Natural Poison Ivy Remedies
Gardening
- Mosquito Repelling Plants—Fact or Fiction?
- 5 Easiest Veggies To Grow
- Gardening by the Moon Calendar — pick the best days for planting!
- Create A Magical Moon Garden to enjoy this summer!
Fishing Fun
- 8 Fun Ways To Hook Kids on Fishing
- 5 Tips for Fishing in the Rain
- Fishing Calendar – Pick the best days to fish in 2022 and check out the interactive map!
Beat The Heat
- Why Are They Called The Dog Days of Summer?
- Pet Safety In Summer Heat
- Why Summer is Kidney Stone Season
- Help Your Chickens Beat The Heat With This Cool Confetti Ice Ring
- Keep Your Pet Cool With Doggie Ice Cream!
Staycation Ideas
Don’t plan on traveling much this summer? Here are a few ideas to make the most of your time at home.
- For Summer Staycation Fun, Prime Your Backyard!
- When Will Fireflies Light Up Your Backyard?
- Fun Bugs
- Stargazing With Kids
Beach Reads
- The Year Without A Summer – 1816
- What Did People Do Before Air Conditioning?
- 5 Worst Summer Weather Cities
- 10 Fascinating Facts About Fireflies
- What Is The Urban Heat Island Effect?
- Be Safe From Summer Weather Hazards!
Summer Recipes We Love
- Make Your Own Refreshing Granitas – A new take on Italian Ice!
- Too Much Zucchini? Try These Recipes
- Too Hot To Cook? Break Out The Slow Cooker!
- Top 5 Foods for Picnics and Cookouts
- Watergate Salad – A Retro Classic!
