This summer is shaping up to be a hot one that could be even hotter if wildfires continue to spread throughout the province. The Weather Network recently released its summer forecast, with Saskatchewan not being spared from the incoming heat.
Matthew Grinter, a meteorologist with The Weather Network, talks about what they're seeing for the province.
"The summer forecast that we have for Saskatchewan, unfortunately, and pretty well across the entire country, is for above normal temperatures for the summer. The unfortunate part is for southern Saskatchewan and the southern parts of the prairies. We expect that's going to be sort of the central spot for some of the hottest temperatures this year."
Even though a lot of heat is poised to strike the southern part of the province, Grinter says we're not at a large risk of drought just yet.
"When we compare prior years in terms of drought emissions, we are in a better situation than we have been in prior years at this point in time. But because of the pattern that we are looking at as we head through the summer, we're actually going to be looking at that drought, those drought conditions increasing. So that's the unfortunate part with this forecast."
The main river of those summer conditions is a heat dome located in the central United States, which will push heat into the southern prairies. Grinten says he's not too thrilled to be delivering the news to farmers, as the heat may also dry up potential moisture.
"For the southern prairies, where a lot of farming is, that's where we are going to be looking at some drier conditions. Now, as we head into June, we know that's the wettest time of the year, the wettest month for southern Saskatchewan normally. So what we're hoping is that we do see that come to fruition, that we do have some moisture. That's going to help to reduce any of that drought concern as we head through the summer."
Drought conditions will worsen over the summer, so Grinter is hoping we'll get enough rain over the early parts of June to keep some moisture over the summer.
Meanwhile, more northern areas of Saskatchewan may see some more storms as they're on the edge of that heat dome, though Grinter isn't confident that they'll fight off drought conditions.
"That doesn't mean that those areas aren't going to see any drought conditions or wildfires in general, but what it does is it brings some moisture to the area, which is definitely good. At this point in time, it doesn't look like that area is going to be over southern parts of the provinces, but more so central areas."
On the other hand, Grinter says those storms will increase lightning strikes and may lead to more wildfires popping up.
Anyone looking to head on a plane and vacation somewhere else in Canada to avoid the heat will be disappointed, says Grinter.
"Kind of the main story is that pretty well the entire country is going to be above normal. There are a couple of locations where we are forecasting near normal temperatures, that is, basically on the coasts. So we are looking at the Newfoundland being more near normal, and same with the BC coast."
Grinter also reminds people to keep an eye out for tornadoes, as those tend to peak in July for Saskatchewan, but can occur as early as April across the prairies.