Saskatchewan experienced unusually warm and dry weather last month, with September temperatures surpassing those of June in certain regions, as per data from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Regina, Moose Jaw, and Swift Current all registered higher average daytime temperatures in September compared to June. Across the province, every weather station monitored by Environment Canada ranked September among the top 10 warmest on record.
Danielle Desjardins, a meteorologist with the federal weather agency, highlighted the significance of the warm September temperatures across Saskatchewan, stating that every tracked station reported temperatures well above normal for the month. While June typically marks the beginning of summer heat, this year, September stood out for its above-average temperatures.
In Regina, the average temperature for September was 15.9 C, notably higher than the slightly below-average 15.7 C recorded in June. Moose Jaw experienced an average of 15.9 C in June, increasing to 16.2 C in September. Desjardins emphasized the deviations from normal temperatures as the key focus of the data analysis.
Swift Current set a remarkable record by experiencing its driest September in 140 years of weather monitoring by Environment Canada. The city only received 0.2 mm of rainfall during the month, significantly below the historical average of 40.6 mm. Other areas, including Key Lake, La Ronge, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon, also reported below-average rainfall, with Saskatoon receiving only 14% of its normal precipitation and Prince Albert only 26%.
Attributing the unusual weather patterns to a persistent upper-level ridge, Desjardins explained that this high-pressure system brought hot and dry air across the province. The contrast in rainfall between September and earlier months, particularly August, where Swift Current experienced heightened precipitation due to thunderstorms, further emphasized the variability in summer precipitation.
While the dry conditions may aid in harvesting activities, they pose challenges for soil moisture recovery and increase the risk of wildfires, especially following an intense fire season earlier in the year. Desjardins highlighted the impact of hot, dry, and windy conditions on the ignition and spread of wildfires, underscoring the potential implications of September’s weather conditions.
Whether these conditions indicate a shift in long-term climate trends or represent a temporary weather anomaly, Desjardins emphasized the substantial deviations from normal temperatures observed in September.