Rainy week on tap for Saskatchewan

A potent weather system featuring heavy rainfall is covering parts of the prairies.

Environment Canada senior climatologist David Phillips says Alberta is getting the brunt of it, with multiple places under flash flooding warnings.

As for Saskatchewan, he believes parts of the province will benefit from this system, especially the southwest region.

“The rain this week is going to be a blessing,” Phillips said on Monday’s Greg Morgan Morning Show. “You may be cursing it because you got an umbrella or it’s too wet, but boy, this is almost as if this is the safety valve that farmers and gardeners need.”

Just after 3:30 p.m. Monday, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning for areas around Melfort, Tisdale, Prince Albert, Shellbrook, Meadow Lake and Spiritwood.

Then, just after 4 p.m., a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for areas around Regina, Moose Jaw, Pense, Fort Qu’Appelle, Indian Head, Estevan, Weyburn, Assiniboia and Gravelbourg.

Environment Canada said the storm could include hail up to three centimetres in diameter and winds gusting to 90 kilometres per hour.

Parts of northern Saskatchewan are expected to see the most moisture this week with more than 100 millimetres (or around four inches) of rain over 48 hours.

The Regina and Saskatoon areas are expected to see less moisture, with around 50 millimetres (or roughly two inches) in that same time frame.

Thunderstorm warnings could also be possible throughout multiple regions in the province.

This latest system follows thunderstorm warnings that blanketed southern parts of the province on Sunday, including a brief tornado warning that was in place for the Imperial area, roughly 140 kilometres northwest of Regina.

After a week of rainy conditions, Phillips says there is a silver lining for those who love summer-like heat.

“What we’re going to see at the end of the week is that summer is going to arrive (and) we’re going to see temperatures in parts of Saskatchewan reach up to 35 degrees,” he said.

“(There will be) some rain to kind of help to end that long drought for the southwest and then we’re going to see some summer temperatures that are going to warm things up and make people feel like they want to bring the muscle shirts and tank tops out.”