Showers or sunshine? Here's your long weekend lookahead

Saturday, August 1, 2015, 8:31 AM - The first Monday in August marks a day that goes by many names, depending where you live in Canada. 

Known most widely as the Civic Holiday, it marks the last long weekend before Labour Day -- and the dreaded end of summer and return to school for many.

The Monday is just another day to start the week if you live in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador or Yukon, where the first Monday of the month is not recognized as a holiday. But the rest of the country sees it as one final weekend escape, giving the chance to enjoy an extra day off.

As far as the forecast is concerned, the coming days will see balanced temperatures and variable skies across the country.

Will weekend plans go ahead as scheduled, or will summer storms risk putting a damper on outdoor activities?

Here's a look at the weekend forecast from coast to coast.

Atlantic Canada

After an unsettled week, the weekend will be mostly, but not completely, rain-free across this region.

Across the Maritimes, scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible both Saturday and Sunday, but there will be significant rain-free periods in between the passing showers, along with near seasonal temperatures.

After one of the coldest and wettest Julys on record for parts of Newfoundland, this weekend will feature improving conditions. Showers may linger into Saturday morning, but most of the weekend will be dry as temperatures recover to near seasonal for Sunday and Monday. 

The warmer weather will last for most of next week as St. John’s should finally see several consecutive days with highs reaching the lower 20s.

Ontario and Quebec

An unsettled pattern over the region brings changeable conditions throughout the weekend.

A nearly stationary system over Hudson's Bay will continuously pinwheel a series of weak cold fronts and troughs through the area will bring the threat for a few rounds of showers and thunderstorms each day through the long weekend.

While the weekend won't be a total washout, you should be ready to modify your plans as passing showers and thunderstorms will interrupt outdoor activities from time to time. Monday will bring the greatest risk for more widespread rain to southern Ontario.

Both provinces will get a break from the heat and humidity that has dominated the past week as temperatures will be near to slightly below seasonal for early August, beginning Saturday and going through Monday.

As we head into the weekend, be sure to keep in mind that hot and dry weather of the past week has elevated the fire danger risk, particularly southern Ontario and Quebec.

Campers and hikers are advised to check for active fire bans and necessary permits before lighting up a campfire or setting off fireworks.

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The Prairies

If there ever was a time to get outside, it's this coming weekend across the Prairies.

Dry conditions and temperatures at or near 30^oC, especially in the western Prairies, will dominate the region through the weekend due to a ridge over the region.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible through the weekend, especially in the Alberta foothills, but no real systems are set to develop, according to Weather Network meteorologist Kelly Sonnenburg. 

"It won't be until Tuesday that we see a low develop in Alberta that will bring more widespread showers and thunderstorms," Sonnenburg says.

British Columbia

We end in the west, the Canadian region that looks like it will see some of the nicest weather in the country for the long weekend ahead.

While much of this region desperately needs more rain, sunshine and very warm to hot temperatures will dominate the southern half of the province, slightly cooler along the coast.

Occasional showers are expected across Northern B.C., but much of the weekend will be rain-free and rainfall totals will not be substantial.