Heat wave smashes P.A. weather record

Prince Albert wasn’t left hanging as Saskatchewan broke weather records on Monday.

A balmy high of 20 C beat the 19.1 C record from October 20, 1974.

Environment Canada meteorologist Bill McMurtry was happy to deliver a reminder of this departure from the norm.

“Typically this time of year were looking at daytime highs of only plus seven degrees,” said McMurtry.

We have the United States to thank for the warm weather. A high pressure ridge in the southwest areas of the U.S. known for a hot, dry climate is pulling it north.

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“[The ridge] has pushed warm air that would typically reside in around Nevada and Arizona and has pushed it all northward and as a result well above normal temperatures are expected for almost all the prairies for today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday),” said McMurtry.

McMurtry said the southwest part of the province could see temperatures between 20 and 24 C, whereas locations in the north will be in the 19 to 22 degree range through Tuesday.

As the week goes on, temperatures will drop so McMurtry advised residents to get out and enjoy the warmth while it lasts.

Kelly Ahenakew and his friend Morgan Wales were doing just that on Monday as they spent the whole day outside.

“It’s almost like a Chinook,” said Ahenakew. “It’s way too nice outside to be inside.”

Morgan Wales was so warm, she had to take off her sweater while walking.

 “I’m enjoying it, it’s really beautiful outside,” said Wales. “[It’s] short weather.”

Earlier in the day, retiree Ray Armstrong sat by the river in the sun. Armstrong said it would be pretty exciting if Prince Albert broke the record. However, he didn’t think we would.

“I don’t think it’s going to happen,” said Armstrong. “Look at them clouds.”

David Phillips, Climatologist with Environment Canada, said being that the days are shorter at this time of year it’s less likely that we get warm weather.

In fact Phillips said last year on Oct. 20 Prince Albert was at the freezing mark, with a wind chill of minus eight and snow.

While last year is a fresh memory, Phillips pointed to a much worse Oct. 20 in 1969 Prince Albert had 17.8 centimeters (cm) of snow and in 1951 it was minus 21 C.

Prince Albert was one of many record-setting communities across Saskatchewan on Monday.

Nipawin, Melfort, Spiritwood, Big River, and North Battleford had the highest temperatures ever recorded on Monday.

Saskatoon broke the 22 C high set in 1974, reaching 23 C.

Regina shattered a 76-year-old record from 1938, hitting 24 C.

For Prince Albert weather details check out Henri Dagenais’ weather. 

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter : @KaylaBruch1