Sunburst at sunset at the historic grain elevator in Neipath, Saskatchewan, Canada. (Photo 145802436 © Nancy Anderson | Dreamstime.com)

By Nolan Kowal

February Forecast

‘Pretty good probability’: Cold weather could return by end of month, Environment Canada says

Feb 9, 2024 | 12:00 PM

It’s been a balmy winter across the Canadian Prairies, but colder temperatures could be on the way back to Saskatchewan.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s long-term models show that colder arctic air could return to the province later in February.

“Over the next little while we’ll see a gradual easing towards some colder air and more towards seasonal values,” said Meteorologist Terri Lang. “And now what’s showing up at the end of the models right now which is about 10 days out, is that it’s showing that there’s going to be some rather cold arctic air starting to move in.”

“Not all the models are showing that, but there’s probably a pretty good probability that there will be some cold air moving in before the end of the month,” Lang said, adding that February typically brings some of the coldest temperatures of the year.

As for precipitation, Lang said the models are showing dry conditions over the month, but that could change quickly.

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“Consistent with the El Nino is a forecast for dryer than average conditions for February, but that doesn’t mean it won’t snow either,” she said. “So we’ll just have to see what Mother Nature has and who is going to get the snow. We’ll see what comes throughout the rest of the month.”

Lang added that it’s entirely possible to get through the remainder of the winter with only one more cold snap, in addition to the one back in January on the Prairies.

“Certainly in an El Nino winter it is possible for sure. At least one more cold outbreak if not more, but we’ll see what it brings.”

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com