Arid conditions to linger throughout August

Cities seeing record low precipitation

It’s safe to say Saskatchewan’s major urban centres are experiencing a very dry July.

The trend will likely continue for the rest of the summer, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang.

While temperatures for both cities have remained consistent, Saskatoon and Regina have seen some of the lowest precipitation levels on record, she said.

“It’s sort of a trend over Western Canada.”

A jet stream system known as an Omega pattern has formed “a big loop” over Western Canada, stopping before Manitoba, Lang said, noting it’s not uncommon for conditions south of the jet stream to be “warm and dry” within this pattern.

Regina has been hit harder than Saskatoon.

Environment Canada data indicates this month was Regina’s 15th driest July on record in 125 years, and Saskatoon’s 30th driest July on record in 123 years.

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada is in the process of compiling July’s drought monitor assessment, expected to be released in early August. It’s expected to classify the Saskatoon and Regina areas as experiencing a “moderate drought.”

That’s an elevated category for both cities compared to June 30, when they were classified as “abnormally dry.”

Kirby Baker, owner of Lawn and Order Lawn Care in Regina, said he has been kept busy with people calling for advice on lawn care and weeds.

He said weeds tends to come in “a little stronger” during a dry spell.

Drier conditions have more people opting for “xeriscape” yards made of rocks or artificial turf because they can’t keep up with lawn maintenance and want to reduce water costs, he said.

While Saskatoon and Regina had a drier than normal July, Nipawin got more rain than average.

Environment Canada recorded 101.3 millimetres of rain there, compared to the 30-year-average of 82.7 millimetres.

Corey Driedger, one of the owners of a Nipawin construction company, said this summer has been a bit wetter than usual.

“We’ve had days off where we couldn’t work because of rain,” he said.

“But some of the days we couldn’t work outside, we worked inside, so it wasn’t too bad.”