Sask. hot streak continues, cooler temps expected early 2024

Saskatchewan is quite literally on a hot streak.

Ten weather records fell across the province on Thursday with several communities enjoying temperatures in the double-digits.

Record temperatures on Dec. 28

• Assiniboia 9.3 C  (7.8 C in 1999)
• Broadview 3.9  C (3.3 C in 1943)
• Elbow 9.5 C (9.3 C in 1999)
• Kindersley 10. 2 C (6.1 C in 1997)
• Leader 11.6 C ( in 9.2 C in 1999)
• Lucky Lake 11.4 C (7.9 C in 1999)
• Outlook 9.7 C (9.0 C in 1999)
• Rosetown 10 C (7.1 C in 1999)
• Swift Current 11.6 C (7.6 C in 1999)
• Wynyard 5.5 C (4.6 C in 1999)

Environment Canada says it’s thanks to a strong El Nino year, which made for a mild December this year.

The weather agency notes a lack of snow has also been a contributing factor for the unusually warm start to winter. With very little snow to reflect the sun, heat from the sun is absorbed into the ground resulting in warmer temperatures.

The cooler pattern is developing for the start of 2024  Daytime temperatures for both Saskatoon and Regina are expected to dip below -10 C. by the middle of next week.