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Saskatchewan temperatures breaking records

May 3, 2016 | 6:14 PM

Temperatures in Saskatchewan aren’t normal for this time of year and have reached a record breaking high.

Weather expert, Henri Dagenais, said normal temperatures for this time of year usually fall around a 16 degree Celsius maximum during the day, reaching 2 C at night.

“We’re 10 to 12 degrees above that. We’re going to be 10 C tonight, so even at night we’re higher than normal,” he said.

Dagenais said the reason for the warmer weather is due to what is called the omega block. On the west side of the block, the wind comes in from the SSW and over the Rockies.

“When the air goes up, it reaches saturation at a certain level and it cools down 1.5 degrees per thousand feet until the top of the mountains,” he said. “As soon as it starts going down the other side of the mountains, it warms up 3 degrees per thousand feet, so it kind of doubles whatever the amount of elevation that it dips.”

The air already comes from a warm source in the SSW and dries off as it goes down the mountains, increasing its temperature.

Due to the lack of precipitation, Dagenais said fields are dry and can pose a problem with wildfires. With the cold front coming through on Friday, it may bring with it thunder showers, producing lightening which can also cause wildfires.

Temperature records broken today, May 3.

  • Saskatoon hit 29 C, compared to 28.5 C in 1985.
  • Waskesiu reached 23 C, compared to 22.6 C in 1998.
  • North Battleford got up to 29 C, compared to 22.7 C in 2009.
  • Meadow Lake reached 28 C, compared to 24.5 C in 1985.
  • Spiritwood reached 26 C, compared to 23.6 C in 1998.

 

Miranda.brumwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @mlbrumwell