Stock up on sunscreen, you’re going to need it

Things don’t usually get hectic for Harry Daley until late June or early July.

But the owner of Lazy Day Raft Rentals says his company started renting out rafts as early as mid-May this year, possibly the earliest start to the season in his eight years of business.

And if The Weather Network’s predictions of a hotter- than- average summer hold true, Daley can expect the coming months to be just as busy.

“Usually we don’t even start to do anything until mid to end June. Typically our season is Canada Day until the end of September, so we’re well a month earlier than normal,” Daley said.

“If it’s going to be hot and dry, that’s music to our ears.”

According to The Weather Network’s summer outlook, released Tuesday, Calgary will see above seasonal temperatures and average rainfall for June, July and August, with occasional bouts of cooler weather.

Calgary typically gets average summer highs of about 20 to 23 C, and average lows of about 8 to 10 C.

“We’re already seeing it with the week ahead. Right now, it’s a little bit cooler with rainier conditions. But temperatures will be bumping up above seasonal for the remainder of the week,” said meteorologist Erin Wenckstern.

A “ridiculously strong” ridge of high pressure in the jet stream is bringing strong warm winds over the west. The warmer weather could also be attributed to the strengthening of El Nino in the Pacific, Wenckstern added.

As for precipitation, Calgary is expecting average amounts of about 60 to 90 mm per month, for a total of more than 200 mm over the three months.

“Precipitation is very much harder to forecast than temperatures. Of course you get convective storms during the summer,” she said.

Daley said the rain in June is usually what concerns him and his staff, but he’s remaining optimistic.

“We’re happy to get a hot dry summer, fingers crossed,” he said.

Typically our season is Canada Day until the end of September, so we’re well a month earlier than normal.