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David Phillips believes this week may be summer’s “last hurrah” in Saskatchewan, but nice fall weather won’t be gone for long.
“The models seem to suggest that this kind of unusual warmth is not finished,” Environment Canada’s senior climatologist told the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday. “It won’t be as warm as it has been, but we see still some pleasant days ahead — maybe not next week but the week after.
“Our models seem to suggest for the next month, we’re calling for it to be warmer than normal across Saskatchewan.”
Highs in Regina and Saskatoon are forecast to remain in the mid- to high teens this week before temperatures drop on Sunday.
“This week looks absolutely ideal,” Phillips said. “Golf weather continues (with) temperatures that are five or seven degrees warmer than normal. But I think this might be summer’s last hurrah.
“I think next week we’re going to see some reality. We could even see something we haven’t seen since April, which would be daily highs below the freezing mark.
“We could see some single(-digit) daily highs. Instead of (highs of) 17 (or) 15, we might be like 2, 3 or 4. We might even see some snow on the pumpkin before we get through October.”
Phillips said that’s typical, but the warmer temperatures that are slated to return after next week are abnormal.
Then again, it has been that way for the past six weeks or so.
“We’ve gone through if not the warmest September-October on record, it’s certainly in the top five — just dry and hot, lots of sunshine and not what you’d expect for this time of the year,” Phillips said. “This is often the time when you’re wearing out your body changing clothes from summery-like to wintery-like clothes.
“And when this (system) breaks down, it then comes back. It rebuilds. Really, Saskatchewan, Alberta (and) British Columbia are seeing record warm temperatures on a daily basis.”
Phillips noted the relative lack of precipitation so far is “a little ominous” — he noted farmers across the prairies need moisture as they prepare for next year’s crop — but most people have enjoyed the temperatures that have been seen in Western Canada.
“The best thing about such a fall that we’ve had,” Phillips said, “is it makes winter shorter.”
