Arctic heads towards warmer summer: weather outlook

This map from Accu Weather shows that Nunavik and Nunavut can expect to see above-normal temperatures this summer.

Canada’s far North will continue to feel the heat during the summer of 2013.

That’s according to May 20 summer weather outlook from Accu Weather which says the Arctic will continue to experience “well above-normal temperatures.”

Canada as a whole will experience a more typical summer weather in 2013, especially compared to the record-setting, warm summer that occurred in 2012, Accu Weather said.

However, the summer outlook still expects the summer of 2013 to end up ranking in the top-10 warmest summers.

Overall, Canadian summers are getting warmer, with an increase of 1.4 C since records began in 1948.

With that warm weather, it might be good to use sunscreen: Environment Canada scientists predict that ultraviolet values across Canada will be about one to two-per cent higher during the summer months, and possibly even higher for some days in the spring, as compared to pre-1980 levels, due to the reduced thickness of the ozone layer.

Exposure to UV radiation from the sun increases the risk of sunburn, skin cancers and cataracts and can weaken the immune system.

Environment Canada issues a UV Index forecast as part of the daily weather forecast, whenever the UV Index reaches 3 or more.