Climatologist says early October ‘certainly won’t be sweater weather’ in Saskatchewan

People in Saskatchewan will be able to keep their winter coats in storage for a little while longer.

A warm up is on the way this week, with both Regina and Saskatoon expected to see temperatures in the mid-to-high 20 C range. The Queen City is expected to hit 31 C on Tuesday.

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David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, said September was warmer than normal across Saskatchewan.

“I’ve just run out of superlatives describing how beautiful September has been, and this week coming up, my gosh, nature keeps on giving,” Phillips said during an appearance on the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday.

Listen to Greg Morgan’s full interview with Phillips:

Phillips said a large high-pressure area is the reason for the hot temperatures at the tail end of September and into the first week of October.

“A high-pressure area in the winter can bring you some pretty cold weather, but in the warm part of the year it generally brings just the same weather, day after day,” the climatologist explained.

He said the trend is being felt across Canada.

“It’s warm, sunny, and dry across the country,” Phillips said.

“Nature is leaving us alone here, from Alberta to the Maritimes. It’s been spectacular, and  I can’t think of a place more spectacular than Saskatchewan.”

Phillips noted that Saskatchewan saw several days above 30 C in May, as well as at the end of August and September.

“It’s sort of like bookends,” he said. “The two bookends were spectacular weather, and then in between we had just too much smoke and temperatures were OK, but it really has been spectacular.”

Heading into October, November and December, Phillips said he expects temperatures to be warmer than normal across the prairies.

“It doesn’t mean every day. When I talk about October being warmer than normal and then I use the same words describing that September is warmer than normal, there’s a difference of 8 C between September and October,” he explained.

“We know it’s cooling off. It’s not July warmth. I mean, it certainly won’t be sweater weather, but it looks spectacular.”

But while the warm temperatures are likely to be welcomed, Phillips said a good rain is needed once farmers in Saskatchewan have harvest wrapped up.