Watch above: After a few warmer than usual weeks, temperatures are expected to, once again, take a plunge in Saskatoon. Aaron Streck reports.
SASKATOON – To say we’ve been spoiled by Mother Nature the last few weeks in Saskatchewan is an understatement. After an above seasonal start to winter, many knew it wouldn’t last.
“For the past three or four weeks we’ve been under an influence of a mild westerly Pacific airmass which has pretty much covered the prairies,” said Environment Canada Meteorologist Mike McDonald.
“That airflow is starting to weaken and we’re starting to see some really cold air system bottled up over the arctic now starting to slump southward.”
The shift could already be felt Saturday as the daytime high was reached in the overnight hours but it wasn’t stopping too many people from withstanding the elements.
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The typical high for this time of year is -10 C. With the recent cold expected to be sticking around for awhile, it could be a shock to our systems.
“At least for the next week or so we’re looking at lows dropping down, air temperatures of about -30 or so for the next little while and any time we get winds in the 15 kilometre range, that will bring wind chill values down around -40,” said McDonald.
According to Environment Canada, a cold snap this time of year isn’t out of the ordinary.
“This time of year is climatologically speaking the coldest time of year so our average day time highs start climbing again once we enter early January, so it’s coming pretty much on time,” said McDonald.
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If there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, the sun is expected to be out; however, being outside to enjoy it might be dangerous with temperatures dropping to where skin can freeze in a matter of minutes.
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