Visible heat waves rise from the roadway, distorting houses in the background in this hot summer file photo. Federal officials are predicting 2026 will be one of the hottest years on record in Canada.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
According to new weather data released by the federal government Monday, forecasters expect conditions in 2026 to be among the hottest on record, and comparable to the last three years.
The Government of Canada released its annual global mean temperature forecast this week and based on current modelling, the Earth is predicted to be in the range of 1.35C and 1.53C above pre-industrial levels.
Weather experts say this means the globe has remained at least 1C above pre-industrial levels for the 13th consecutive year and say this year will be comparable to 2024, which remains the warmest observed in history.
Environment Canada predicts a 12 per cent chance this year will exceed the 1.5C Paris Agreement threshold, and an almost certain 99 per cent chance this year will be hotter than every other on record prior to 2023.
“Canadians are already experiencing the impacts of changing climate, from extreme heat to increased risks to communities and infrastructure,” said Julie Dabrusin, federal minister of environment, climate change and nature.
Ottawa says action is being taken to address the drivers of rising global temperatures including measures outlined in the 2025 Budget and the federal Climate Competitiveness Strategy.
This includes new regulations announced last month around enhancing oil and gas methane and landfill methane regulations.
The government also says it is actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions while growing carbon markets into clean energy producers.
“The latest global temperature forecast provides important, science-based information to help government, decision-makers and communities better understand what lies ahead and plan accordingly,” added Dabrusin.
Environmental advocacy groups however, say the government is not prepared for the incoming scorcher of a year and future years, as forecasters expect the warming trend to continue into 2030.
“It is outrageous that, despite the deepening climate crisis, the federal government has no real plan to fight climate change nor to build a clean economy,” said Keith Brooks, program director for Environmental Defence, in a statement Monday. “We are flying blind with an idea of what Canada’s emissions trajectory looks like now, following the cancellation of the consumer carbon tax and the signing of the (pipeline) MOU with Alberta.”
The advocacy organization is calling for more action for lawmakers around fighting climate change, and is pushing for transition to electrification and away from fossil fuels.
“We can either participate in and benefit from this massive shift, or stick to our fossil fuelled past,” said Brooks.
Medicine Hat’s local temperatures have already broken the high temperature record twice on Jan. 13 with a daytime high of 12.2C, and the following day with a 14C daytime high.
