Saskatchewan has recently experienced the second warmest December on record, the warmest Dec. having occurred in 1997. Temperatures this past December averaged about six degrees below Celsius, whereas the 1997 record seen an average temperature of 5.7 degrees below Celsius.
Average temperatures across the province were as much as eight degrees higher than usual. While it isn't unusual to experience some warmer weather during winter, this warm spell we are experiencing now has lasted for weeks instead of hours or days. Instead of the usual snowy, cold conditions, we've been experiencing a snowless and/or slushy winter. It's almost as if we've surpassed the normal winter season and headed into spring.
This winter has seen temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius, with towns throughout Saskatchewan setting records, reaching highs of 12 degrees above Celsius. Estevan is one of the areas to have broken warm weather records reaching 10 degrees Celsius this winter.
As we enter the New Year the warm temperatures have continued to obliterate previous records, and for a variety of reasons.
The spring-like temperatures are the result of a super-charged Chinook for one. California air has been moving into B.C. and across the Rockies. These strong winds are moving across the region and bringing Saskatchewan very unnatural weather.
The lack of snow in Saskatchewan also contributes to the warm weather. As the warm air that moves in, which would normally go to work melting the snow, has no snow to melt it just remains as warm air, raising the temperature.
There are no signs of Arctic air coming down from the earth, so now experts are predicting the weather will continue to be mild and dry.
While The Weather Network and Environment Canada had previously predicted harsh winter conditions due to cooler than normal waters in the Pacific Ocean, otherwise known as La Nina conditions, the forecast now calls for more above-normal temperatures, at least for another two weeks.
It is expected that colder temperatures will eventually hit Saskatchewan, but it won't be an instantaneous event. For those who don't enjoy the colder weather, the unseasonal temperatures have been a gift, but the weather should soon change in favour of those wishing for some more typical winter Saskatchewan weather!
