Another scorching hot weekend is ahead for the North West region of Saskatchewan. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Hot & sunny

Heat, smoke residue present for August long

Jul 30, 2021 | 1:00 PM

Residents of North West Saskatchewan can expect a hot, sunny August long weekend.

Environment Canada is forecasting mostly clear skies into next week along with temperatures well above the season average of 24 C. The Battlefords high for Friday afternoon is 30 C, then temperatures are expected to slightly increase, with 31 C on Saturday and 33 C on Sunday and Monday. In Meadow Lake, Friday and Saturday’s heat is predicted to peak at 29 C, before getting to 33 C by Monday. Several days could have a UV index (a measure of the level of UV radiation) of six or seven, which is considered slightly above moderate exposure level.

Haze in the Battlefords Friday morning. (battlefordsNOW Staff)

However, hazy conditions should continue for at least 24 hours, with wildfire smoke still present in the region. A slight clearing may occur by Saturday evening, depending on the shift in winds.

More significant cloud cover and possible precipitation isn’t likely until at later into next week. Meadow Lake’s forecast currently has a 60 per cent chance of showers on Thursday. Some light rainfall in the Battlefords wasn’t enough to add to precipitation over the weekend in order to lift local fire bans. Earlier this week, Environment Canada’s Kyle Fougere said a ridge in high pressure was going to continue to bring on the current wave of heat. However, the City of North Battleford is still allowing approved fire pit use and provincials parks are no longer under a ban since last week.