Special weather statement for hot spell in Saskatoon, southern Sask.

SASKATOON – An extended spell of hot weather this week has prompted Environment Canada to issue a special weather statement for Saskatoon, Regina and parts of central and southern Saskatchewan. A large upper ridge of high pressure continues to intensify over central North America, which will further boost temperatures, which were sitting in the low 30s across central and southern Saskatchewan Tuesday.

The hottest temperatures are expected along and south of the TransCanada Highway where the mercury could peak in the 35 to 38 degree range this week.

The agency believes the heat will likely be just shy of heat warning criteria of 40 degrees Celsius for most areas due to the relatively dry conditions, however they say some areas may approach that threshold near the Manitoba border and along the Yellowhead corridor Wednesday afternoon.

A strong cold front is expected to move across the province Saturday, which will bring the threat of severe thunderstorms followed by cooler weather for the weekend into next week.

Current weather models are suggesting that Saskatoon may see humidex values into the high 30s Wednesday and Thursday, possibly pushing into the 40s Friday, which would warrant a heat warning as temperatures spike up to the 35 degree range.

READ MORE: Children, the elderly most at risk during heat waves

As of Tuesday, so far in 2015 Saskatoon has had 11 days above 30 degrees.

With more heat on the way, that number is expected to exceed three times the number of 30+ degree days hit last year, when only four days saw the mercury climb above that threshold.

Normally the Bridge City only sees 11 days above 30 degrees each year, with the majority occurring in the month of August, which is only half over.

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Special weather statement for:

• Saskatoon
• Regina
• Leader – Gull Lake
• Swift Current – Herbert – Cabri – Kyle – Lucky Lake
• Shaunavon – Maple Creek – Val Marie – Cypress Hills
• Moose Jaw – Pense – Central Butte – Craik
• Fort Qu’Appelle – Indian Head – Lumsden – Pilot Butte
• Assiniboia – Gravelbourg – Coronach
• Estevan – Weyburn – Radville – Milestone
• Yorkton – Melville – Esterhazy
• Moosomin – Grenfell – Kipling – Wawota
• Carlyle – Oxbow – Carnduff – Bienfait – Stoughton
• Martensville – Warman – Rosthern – Delisle – Wakaw
• Outlook – Watrous – Hanley – Imperial – Dinsmore
• Humboldt – Wynyard – Wadena – Lanigan – Foam Lake
• Kindersley – Rosetown – Biggar – Wilkie – Macklin