**** Info via Environment Canada
State of Global Climate for 2021
Today, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its report on the State of Global Climate for 2021, which draws attention to key climate trends and weather events that affected our planet over the last year.
The report mentions rising global annual mean temperature, rising global mean sea level, melting glaciers, exceptional heatwaves, as well as droughts and flooding that are causing food insecurity and displacement. Even with a cooler start to the year from a La Niña event, 2021 is confirmed as one of the seven warmest years. The overall trend of rising temperatures has not been reversed, and the past seven years have been the seven warmest years on record.
In 2021, Canada also experienced numerous weather and climate-extreme events. Heatwaves, wildfires, heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts have affected our country. The report specifically highlights that:
- The highest ever Canadian temperature was recorded in Lytton, British Columbia, at 49.6°C on June 29.
- Southwestern British Columbia glaciers experienced their most significant mass loss since records began in 1956.
- Ontario recorded its largest and British Columbia its third-largest wildfire season in terms of hectares burned.
- Last November, 200 to 300 mm of rain fell in 60 hours when an atmospheric river brought intense precipitations to numerous locations in southern British Columbia, causing catastrophic floods and landslides.
Flooding of Highway 5 – Coquihalla – Caroline Mine Interchange last November in British Columbia. Credit: BC Ministry of Transportation.
Human activity is driving unprecedented changes to our planet’s climate. Canada’s average temperatures are rising at twice the global average, and three times in Northern Canada.
For the full report: The WMO State of the Global Climate 2021.
