Many parts of Saskatchewan can expect some warm weather in the days ahead.
David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, said the weather has been bouncing back and forth lately, and that pattern is expected to continue this week with hot temperatures and sunshine, followed by rain that’s badly needed in many parts of the province.
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He said both Regina and Saskatoon are heading into a stretch of warmer-than-normal temperatures.
“That’s the one common denominator across the province – it’s been cool and hot, cool and hot, but boy it’s been dry,” Phillips said.
Listen to Phillips on the Greg Morgan Morning Show:
“We need some rain desperately, especially in the southwestern part of the province.”
In the Queen City, temperatures are expected to climb to 27 C on Tuesday and 31 C on Wednesday. The Bridge City is looking similar, with 29 C expected on Tuesday and 31 C on Wednesday.
Then, periods of rain are expected on Thursday night in Saskatoon and Friday in Regina.
“Showers don’t excite me,” Phillips said, “but periods of rain over multiple hours, especially in the southwest, it could be the million-dollar rain.”
Phillips said more sunshine and warm temperatures are expected next weekend.
“I think this is kind of the character, the personality of the summer ahead,” he explained.
Phillips explained that the number of days above 30 C in Regina has been higher than normal so far this year, but that was because summer temperatures started back in May.
“From a temperature point of view, you have nothing to complain about,” the climatologist said. “But except for in the Kindersley area, it’s been pretty dry across the province.”
He said the summer has been warmer than normal across the country.
“If you stick a thermometer into Canada, it really has shown to be warmer than normal, but it kind of evened out,” Phillips said.
“It came early in the west and it’s come later in the in the east, but everybody’s had that kind of feeling of what summer can present.”
Across the country, Phillips said there have been about 24 tornadoes so far this season, with more than half occurring in Saskatchewan.
He said tornadoes can sometimes have a bright side for producers dealing with dry conditions, but that hasn’t been the case this year.
“The great thing is with tornadoes, even people, farmers who are in drought situations, tornadoes can be kind of good news to them because at least they get some rain. Well, my gosh, they haven’t brought much rain at all,” he explained.
“We do desperately need the rain, but hey, I’ve got my fingers crossed.”