HERE COMES THE SUN
Warm spell for province this week
After a historically cold end to summer and beginning of autumn, Saskatchewan residents can look forward to basking in at least one week of sunshine.
In Saskatoon and area, the forecast calls for sun and temperatures of around 12 C or 13 C through this work week, with forecasted highs of 10 C on Saturday and Sunday.
In Regina and area, the outlook is virtually identical, with similar weekday highs and forecasts for the weekend of 11 C.
Based on 30-year data for Saskatoon and Regina, the average high temperature this time of year hovers around 6 C to 8 C while the average low is around -2 C.
While this week is looking “stellar” around both Saskatoon and Regina, it’s more difficult to predict what to expect for Halloween next Wednesday, says meteorologist Terri Lang of Environment Canada.
If this week’s trends extend a few extra days, Mother Nature could provide a treat — but it could also be tricky for those roaming the streets on Oct. 31.
“The kids might have to put the snowsuit underneath the costume,” Lang said in an interview, noting that at least one model shows a cooling trend as Halloween draws near.
“Keep an eye on that.” Through at least the weekend, though, all indications point toward staying warm and dry in much of Saskatchewan. It’s a drastic change compared to the previous two months. Following an early-august heat wave, virtually every day from mid-august to mid-october was below the 30year average mean temperature, according to data from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
“We are actually finally starting to run above average,” Lang said.
“We had a very long period of well below normal. In some cases, we had record-breaking temperatures ... We all of a sudden got accustomed to those.”
In addition to people hoping to get in a few more rounds of golf this week or avoid bundling up while walking their dogs, the warm temperatures and dry conditions will help farmers get their remaining crops off the field, especially in areas hit early in the season by snow.
“To me,” Lang said, “that’s a real bonus there.”