Canada's May Long Weekend Sees Extreme Weather Variance: Snow in West, Heat in East

Canada faces a stark contrast in weather conditions during the May long weekend, marking an uneven start to summer. While Ontario and Quebec experience above-seasonal warmth with temperatures potentially reaching 30°C in the Greater Toronto Area, western provinces contend with winter-like conditions. In Alberta, particularly the Rockies and Calgary, residents are bracing for wet snow accumulations of up to 30 cm at higher elevations. Additionally, a significant wildfire near Sundre, Alberta, has grown to over 1,000 hectares due to high winds, prompting evacuation alerts though no immediate community danger is reported. The Prairies, including Saskatchewan and Manitoba, are battered by wind storms with gusts exceeding 100 km/h, reducing visibility and hindering agricultural planting. Some areas in Saskatchewan may also see snow. Conversely, British Columbia sees mixed conditions with normal coastal temperatures and warming trends inland. Meteorologists attribute the eastern heat to a high-pressure ridge, offering ideal outdoor conditions for campers and hikers in central and eastern Canada, while advising caution in the west due to snow, wind, and fire risks.