How heat and humidity can intensify storms and tornadoes in Canada

Extreme heat and humidity across parts of Canada are helping fuel severe thunderstorms, with tornadoes reported in Saskatchewan over the weekend and flooding affecting Manitoba. Meteorologists say the combination of high temperatures and moisture can make storms more intense, especially during heat waves. Experts quoted in the article explain that hot air holds more water vapour, which can provide energy for thunderstorm development. In some cases, those storms can produce tornadoes, heavy rain, hail, and damaging winds. Environment Canada issued heat alerts in several provinces as temperatures and humidex values climbed into the 30s and 40s. The article also notes that climate change is making extreme heat more likely and that tornado tracking and warnings are improving, even though exact tornado forecasts remain difficult. Researchers say Canada has seen more documented tornadoes in recent years, with regional patterns varying from year to year.