Much of Canada might face a warmer summer than normal, and that means a higher risk of extreme weather, says an Environment Canada climatologist.

"Warmer than normal is what the best computers are saying," Dave Phillips told CTV News on Saturday.

"Clearly warmer than normal is one of the necessary ingredients to give you the kind of violent weather we sometimes hear of in Canada -- tornadoes, hailstorms, strong winds."

Canadians got a taste of that in 2006 -- Ontario experienced 23 tornadoes, almost double the yearly average of 14. In July and September, three violent wind and rain storms smacked central Canada, leaving some in the dark. The first major storm of last year caused an estimated $100 million in damage.

Scorching temperatures meant forest firefighters had their hands full. They may again this year.

"We will have our share of misery, hardship and misfortune," Phillips predicted.

In Ontario, the forest fire season has gotten off to an early start in the northwest.

"This is rather unusual," Bob Thomas, a spokesman for the Ministry of Natural Resources, told The Canadian Press.

While a bad fire season isn't assured, the prospect is being considered by the ministry, he said. "Certainly we're going to have to give that some thought, because we're going to have to be ready."

The West is predicted to face drier than normal conditions, which could mean droughts in agricultural areas and increased fire damage in forests, he said.

Severe weather has already hit the southwest, with one small tornado reported this past week. That same system created flash-flood conditions in Toronto.

Atlantic Canadians are being warned to expect a busy hurricane season.

"We typically get about nine tropical storms, and they're talking about the possibility of maybe 17, so therefore conditions are ripe," Phillips said.

If that's not enough, central Canada may also face bad smog conditions comparable to 2005. There were 51 smog days that year, compared to 16 in 2006.

Despite the grim possibilities, Phillips said there's no guarantee the summer will be blighted by extreme weather, just that that chance is there.

"I'd be the most surprised person in Canada if we didn't get have our share (of severe weather)," he said. "That is just generally what weather bring us in this part of the world."

Canada recently marked emergency preparedness week. The federal government urged citizens to know the risks associated with extreme weather and to prepare for the possibility.

"We are encouraging Canadians to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours in the event of an emergency, which is the length of time it takes to mobilize a relief effort in a significant way," Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said earlier this month.

The Conservative government directed $38 million over two years in its 2006 budget to boost federal capacity to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies.

With a report from CTV's Denelle Balfour and files from The Canadian Press