Areas like the Battlefords and Meadow Lake had marginal rainfall in recent days, but it's not enough for local municipalities to lift fire bans. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Weekend rainfall has little impact ahead of heat wave

Jul 27, 2021 | 5:40 PM

Those hoping that a brief flurry of showers over the weekend would bring relief to a hot and dry summer were likely disappointed by the upcoming weather forecast.

The Northwest region of Saskatchewan is in for another spell of heat warnings being issued daily. Starting Wednesday, the following week will continuously hit temperatures that bring heat warnings with them, averaging around 30 C. Sunny conditions are expected throughout, without any real chance of precipitation.

Kyle Fougere, meteorologist with Environment Canada, said this past winter in the region was the driest on record, with the spring following up at only 60 per cent of expected precipitation. Making the matter more defined is this July, which is typically the wettest month of the year for the Battlefords area, getting around 11 millimetres of rain, compared to an average total of 74 mm.

“There was 3.6 mm that feel Sunday (and) Monday, but when you’ve already got such a moisture deficit, that really isn’t going to make much of a dent,” Fougere said.

Despite an already substantially dry period, Fougere said there isn’t much of an end in sight. Monday’s expected high is 31 C, while Meadow Lake’s is 30 C. Some evening temperatures will stay around 15 C. Average highs and lows for this time of the year are 24 C and 11 C.

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“Unfortunately, we have a ridge of high pressure that is going to bring continued warm above normal conditions and very little precipitation over the next week,” he said.

Some clouds with thundershower potential moved through the Meadow Lake area Tuesday, but are unlikely to make their way south. In addition to warmer temperatures and clearer skies, residents can still expect a certain amount of smoke from wildfires continuing in the north.

“People will have to try and watch themselves as they’re outside enjoying summer activities,” Fougere said.

(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Municipal fire bans still in place

The brief rainfall from the weekend wasn’t enough to change the perception of local fire departments either.

Meadow Lake Fire Chief Neil Marsh said the city is keeping its fire ban in place and local RM’s are keeping theirs as well. He added that until there’s a change in the forecast, things will remain the same.

We had a nice little shower this morning, but now it’s hot and windy again,” he said. “So, we’re going to wait and see if this changes.”

The majority of municipalities of the Battlefords area are continuing with restrictions as they have been during the summer, with the RM of Battle River recently reenacting its fire ban. While the province lifted its own ban for fire pit use in provincial parks, North Battleford Fire Chief Lindsay Holm said he’s erring on the side of caution when it comes to the ban within the city.

“I want to be very diligent in ensuring that we have sufficient moisture in the city before lifting the fire ban,”

Approved pits are still available for use in North Battleford.

Municipalities are also closely following the wildfires that are in closest proximity, with the Strike and Helene fires as the one closest to the Meadow Lake and Battlefords regions. At this time, Holm said the city hasn’t been asked by the province to provide support haven’t been asked to help manage the fires.

“If it comes time that they need additional resources, I’m sure they’ll ask for them, but the department hasn’t received anything like that at this time,” he said. “They’ll reach out when they feel it’s appropriate.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW