Much of Canada under weather advisories due to high heat, heavy rain, smoky skies

A map from Environment Canada shows weather alerts in place as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Handout)

Complaining about the weather often feels like a Canadian national pastime, but recently, extreme conditions have elevated complaints to safety concerns across the country.

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On Thursday, Environment Canada issued weather alerts for eight of the country's provinces and territories.

Here's where warnings are in effect.

Atlantic Canada

The government agency issued heat warnings for Antigonish, Pictou and Colchester counties in Nova Scotia, with humid and warm weather settling over the province Thursday through next Wednesday. Overnight temperatures are forecast to hit 20 C, while temperatures could feel as warm as 36 to 39 C earlier in the day Friday.

The warning said temperatures and humidex values are expected to peak next Monday afternoon.

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The government also issued a special weather statement alerting residents of western Cape Breton to prepare for potential heavy rain. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop until Thursday evening, and “torrential” downpours are possible, it said. Rainfall could exceed 60 millimetres in some areas.

In New Brunswick, residents will get a mixed bag of heat and thunderstorms.

Central and southern New Brunswick will get a taste of humid weather from Friday through next Wednesday. Friday will see temperatures hit 27 C and humidex values at 36, while Saturday's forecast says 28 C and will feel as warm as 36 to 38 with the humidex. Temperatures and humidity are expected to peak on Sunday and feel like 39 with the humidex. The heat will simmer down by Wednesday night.

Ontario and Quebec

Heat warnings were issued for northwestern parts of the province, including Fort Hope and Sioux Lookout. Daytime highs are expected to reach 30 C, with humidex values near 35.

Environment Canada said the heat event will last into the weekend with little relief overnight as temperatures are expected to cool to 19 C.

A cooler air mass could arrive Sunday night or Monday, it said.

A rainfall warning from Environment Canada is still in place for much of southern Quebec, including Coaticook and Sherbrooke, after the agency lifted it's warning for the Island of Montreal following Wednesday's record-breaking precipitation.

Rainfall up to 40 millimetres is possible in showers or thunderstorms, Environment Canada warned.

Western Canada

Weather advisories have been issued for nearly all of Manitoba, with the exceptions being northeast and north-central regions.

Environment Canada is warning about air quality for parts of the province, including Gillam and Brochet, due to thick smoke wafting in from the west. Much of the province is also under a heat warning, with daytime highs expected to reach 30 C or higher on Thursday and Friday. Humidex values could reach 40.

A slight relief could begin late Friday into the weekend as the warmest air shifts south. The weather agency said temperatures could remain above seasonal into early next week.

The heat warning applies to areas including Winnipeg and Brandon, among other municipalities.

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All of Saskatchewan, including Regina and Saskatoon, is also feeling the heat. Forecasts reveal temperatures could reach 32 C, with overnight lows of 16 C, over the next three to five days.

Wildfire smoke is causing reduced visibility and poor air quality in the northern parts of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Additionally, a long-duration heat event continues in central and southern parts of Alberta, extending heat warnings for some regions in the south, possibly into the weekend.

Several heat warnings have been posted for parts of southern British Columbia, with daytime highs in the 30s and overnight lows in the mid-teens.

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Northwest Territories

A rainfall warning was issued for the Fort Liard region, including Nahanni Butte, in the Northwest Territories.

The warning said heavy rain of 30 to 50 millimetres could shower the regions, and up to 70 millimetres west of the Liard River is possible.

Rainfall could ease Thursday night into Friday morning.