Wet weather affecting more youth sports games than normal

Summer has officially rolled into Saskatchewan, and with that, many hope the wet and cool weather is on its way out.

Those in youth sports are feeling the effects of the rain, heavy winds and cool temperatures throughout the beginning of their season.

Dwayne Bidyk, President, of Regina Minor Baseball said they’ve had games canceled across eight days.

“Which translates into 83 games have already been canceled,” said Bidyk.

In a statement from Jesse Korte, Executive Director, of Saskatoon Minor Baseball, 30% of games have been canceled or postponed due to poor weather conditions.

These numbers are higher than what they would be at this point in a normal year.

Rescheduling games has also been a challenge in Saskatoon, due to an increase in registration most diamonds are in use every night.

Bidyk said in Regina they have been more successful with rescheduling games.

“Sometimes by the end of the season you may be short one or two games,” said Bidyk. “In general we probably reschedule 80% of the stuff that gets rained out.”

Rainy days in Saskatchewan have almost doubled this spring compared to last year according to David Phillips, senior climatologist Environment and Climate Change Canada.

“In Saskatoon for example you’ve had 19 days with some rain, last year you had about seven,” said Phillips. “This year Regina’s had 21 of those wet days, where they had 14 last year.”

Yet despite the staggering amount of days with rain, the total amount of precipitation this year has been similar to last year.

“In Saskatoon this year you’ve probably had 90 millimeters, this time last year there was maybe 65 to 70 millimeters,” said Phillips. “In Regina this year about 100 millimeters whereas last year it was closer to 80.”

Temperatures have also been lower than what they have been in recent memory which Phillips said is the reason this spring feels worse than normal.

“Last year and the year before they (May & June) were very warm,” said Phillips.

Phillips did note that the average temperature of this year’s May and June are closer to the seasonal normal compared to last year.

But now that summer is here people are wondering when that consistent warmth will show up.

Phillips said that warmth should be on its way.

“We see a better situation coming this last week of June and that will set the scene for July,” said Phillips.

July and August are Saskatchewan’s warmest months during the year.