Long-term forecast predicting warm, dry fall for Sask.

Warmer than normal temperatures are being forecast for Saskatchewan through the fall months according to the latest long-term models.

Environment Canada senior meteorologist David Phillips told 650 CKOM Thursday their fall forecast concurs with American predictions, foreseeing a warm and dry three months.

“It’s going to be almost delightfully boring,” he said. “What you see is what you’ll get.”

Phillips emphasized the forecast isn’t predicting sustained temperatures near 30 C though, noting the loss of nearly three minutes of sunlight per day makes it harder to build up the near-record highs.

“Don’t think that every day is going to be muscle shirt or tank top weather, that’s not possible this time of year,” he said.

“But certainly compared to previous Octobers and Novembers, the pattern or the trend seems to be warmer than normal.”

He said while it’ll still be possible for temperatures to push well above average, there will still be days reminding residents what time of year it is.

“You’ll think, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s all over,’ but then it’ll come back,” he said.

LITTLE RAIN IN THE OUTLOOK

While the warmer temperatures will make harvest easier than in 2016, Phillips noted the Environment Canada model’s prediction of a drier fall may cause a problem.

“You don’t want to go into the winter behind the eight ball, having a moisture deficit,” he said.

With historic drought conditions through the summer in the south of the province, the meterologist said “monsoonal” downpours could be needed to give the soil enough moisture before the snow falls.

The Environment Canada deterministic forecast is predicting normal levels of fall rains for pockets of the province, including near Regina. However, little rain is expected in areas west and north of Saskatoon.

—With files from 650 CKOM’s Chris Carr.