One of the best words to describe 2024 could be warm, and unusual. Based on data available from Environment and Climate Change Canada, that would be the case, with the average temperatures warmer by nearly a whole degree.
The average daytime high in Weyburn during year was 10.9° - that is 1.1 degrees warmer than the 30-year average of the period from 1994 to 2023. The difference in temperature wasn’t just felt during the day, either. The average low temperature for the year was -2.1°. This is nearly a full degree warmer than the average as well.
The difference between 2024 and the 30-year average was seen in nearly every month, except for two. May and June would be cooler than average – something commented on by many – while being slightly drier than average as well. Much of the precipitation in those two months came in major rain events, but still, less than 70 millimetres were recorded in the two months combined. This was nearly half of what is usually seen during the late spring and early summer.
Then, July and August came, and they were hot. July alone saw an average daytime high of 29.2° - a whole 2.5° warmer than the average. August would also turn out to be the wettest month of the year, receiving nearly twice the normal rainfall.
The rain and heat through the latter stages of the summer carried over into September, with things remaining unseasonably warm. Many were hoping we would see a cooling off, along with some much-needed post-harvest rain, in October but that didn’t come either. Instead, we saw temperatures that were, on average, five degrees warmer than normal and the driest month of the year.
Then, November came and turned things upside down – at least when looking at the month as a whole. Temperatures would drop to the point where the average daytime high was just above freezing, and the precipitation we received was triple what we have usually seen over the past 30 years.
December also started out milder than normal but then seemed to settle into a more seasonal pattern – partly due to a couple of deep freezes that levelled out the average. The daytime highs were right on par with the 30-year average, as were the overnight lows. The only thing that stood out was the precipitation, with the total amount, with one more day to go, sitting at 10.8 millimetres.
As for what 2025 will bring, it is still too early to know what the whole year will bring. Forecast models are also a little split on what we could see. The Old Farmers’ Almanac is calling for temperatures to be around 3° below normal, with upwards of 20 more millimetres of precipitation. Meanwhile, Environment Canada’s models show a 40 per cent chance temperatures will be above normal with a 30 per cent chance we will see near normal precipitation.
You can stay up to date with the latest forecasts on the Discover Weyburn Weather page.