RECORD WARMTH

Swift Current’s outdoor rinks were no match for the record warm weather which settled in over the Southwest this past week.

The five city rinks were closed on last Thursday when well above seasonal temperatures had the region basking in unusually February warmth. Swift Current had its warmest February 15 in over a century when the mercury rose to 11.4 Celsius last Wednesday, breaking the former mark of

8.3 set in 1916. It also ranks as the warmest February 15 since weather records began in 1886. Maple Creek rose to a stunning 18.9 Celsius on February 15, shattering the old record of 11.0 Celsius set in 1981. During a portion of last Wednesday’s record breaking day, Maple Creek was the warmest place in Canada. Maple Creek also reached a new record high of 13.7 Celsius on Valentine’s Day, edging the previous mark of 13.3 Celsius set back in 1931.

Maple Creek enjoyed a third straight day of record warm weather on February 16, with the mercury rising to 15.9 Celsius to eclipse the former mark of 13.3 established back in 1934. Leader set a record of 11.2 Celsius last Thursday, breaking the former mark of 8.9 set back in 1931.