Ottawa records wettest July in 150 years amid Canada’s hot, fire‑prone August outlook

Ottawa experienced its wettest month on record in July 2026, with 260 mm of rain recorded at the Ottawa International Airport, surpassing the previous 1899 record of 250.2 mm. The month’s rainfall came in bursts, including 118 mm on July 1 and 64 mm over two days later in the month, prompting Environment Canada meteorologist Peter Kimbell to note the intensity of the storms and flash‑flooding that affected the capital.

Across Canada, the summer remains unusually active. Meteorological forecasts for August predict a shift toward hotter, drier conditions, especially on the Prairies and parts of Ontario, raising concerns about renewed wildfire activity. Western Canada may see cooler early‑August weather in British Columbia, while the Prairies and Eastern Canada are expected to experience above‑seasonal temperatures. Atlantic Canada will also see warmer‑than‑normal conditions with occasional storms. The combination of record rainfall in Ottawa and an impending heat‑dry pattern underscores heightened climate‑related risks for the country this month.