Climate change made Atlantic Canada heat wave at least 10 times more likely: ECCC

By Canadian Press on September 17, 2025.

A new analysis suggests that human-caused climate change made an August heat wave in Atlantic Canada at least 10 times more likely.

The week-long heat event saw the region’s average peak daily temperatures soar almost 10 degrees above normal.

Federal climate scientists studied July and August heat waves to figure out how much more likely they became due to human influence, largely from the burning of fossil fuels.

The results released today say nine other heat waves were made at least two to 10 times more likely to happen because of climate change.

Scientists with Environment and Climate Chance Canada came up with the results by comparing models of the Earth’s current and pre-industrial climate to see how carbon dioxide and other planet-warming emissions increased the chances of extreme heat.

Scientist Nathan Gillett says the team has started to do similar studies of extreme precipitation, and plans to start releasing those results soon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2025.

Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press

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