A mix of rain, sun and cloud is ahead for northwest Saskatchewan on Labour Day weekend. (File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Inconsistent weather

Mix of sun, precipitation for long weekend

Sep 3, 2021 | 6:00 AM

A year of ‘backwards weather.’

That’s the term meteorologist Terri Lang of Environment Canada prescribed to 2021 thus far and that continues to apply in the northwest Region of Saskatchewan. Smattering rain resulted in three-tenths of a millimetre of rain in the Battlefords in the last few days, with Meadow Lake receiving a more steady dose that totalled 10 mm of precipitation. Lang said the next few days continue to be a mixed bag, slightly cool temperatures, followed by heat and then another chance of showers overnight on Sunday heading into Monday.

“For this time of year, it’s not particularly warm, but warm enough,” she said. “We’re getting our June and July weather now, for whatever reason.”

After Friday’s clouds clear, the Battlefords are expecting sunny skies and highs of 23 C on Saturday and 27 C Sunday, before a strong chance of showers hits. A 21 C and cloudy Monday is expected to be followed by warmer temperatures in the middle of the week. Meadow Lake is looking slightly cooler, with precipitation expected to continue until a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 22 C on Saturday. The rest of the week is forecast in the low 20’s with a mix of sun and cloud.

“Thankfully, it doesn’t look like a risk of frost, but that chance of showers moving through every couple days is there,” Lang said. “Just poorly timed.”

Billion dollar industry

National Forest Week: Local forestry company a 'shining star' in industry

Sep 19, 2024

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls

Sep 19, 2024

Rain on the way

Significant rainfall expected through Thursday

Sep 18, 2024

(File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

The timing has been terrible for many farmers in the province, who went through a drought only for rain to fall during the end of harvest, and the effects of extreme heat and little moisture could play a factor on the environment moving forward. Lang said the summer was the fourth driest in the history of the Battlefords and the second driest in Meadow Lake’s history, following several months already lacking in moisture.

“Winter was dry, spring was dry, summer dry, so the deficit that we’re running is huge,” she said. “It’s a 150 mm deficit at least on precipitation. I feel for the farmers, because getting it now is like a slap in the face.”

In looking at the next month, Lang said it’s hard to guess whether dry periods are on the horizon, but noted that it wouldn’t be unheard of for September.

‘We usually have nice warm dry stretches,” she said. “Nothing on the long range forecast right now, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen later on.”

(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

—

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW