SASKATOON – With everything from record-breaking winds to a temperature roller-coaster, it’s no surprise Saskatonians are finding it difficult to know what to wear when heading outside lately.
January typically has the greatest chance of seeing consistent bone-chilling frigid temperatures.
But the middle of the month has so far been characterized by fluctuating temperatures ranging anywhere from plus 3 to minus 37; uncharacteristic conditions.
The crashing in of a strong low pressure system after high pressure had been dominating the scene brought in record breaking wind gusts on Jan. 15.
READ MORE: High winds cause power outages and widespread damage in Saskatchewan
Wind gusts on that day were the strongest ever recorded in January, topping out at 115 km/h and breaking the previous record of 111 km/h in 1986.
Last Sunday saw temperatures up to plus 3 in the afternoon and by Wednesday morning the mercury had fallen to minus 27.
The mid-winter roller-coaster has been dubbed “wintermission” and isn’t entirely uncommon.
What is unusual this time around is the length of time Saskatoon has been able to hold onto the heat, with two major warm-ups and four days where the mercury climbed above zero.
Relief is on the way to finish off the week before the roller-coaster comes to a screeching halt on a down slope to end off the month.
Saskatoon’s temperatures are expected to slide back down to where they should be at this time of year, remaining below seasonal into February.
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