Temperature’s rising: Heat wave descending on Saskatchewan

After what felt like a stretch of fall weather in July for many areas of the province, it looks like things are heating up.

“We already have some heat warnings in southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan right now,” Samantha Mauti, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Friday morning. “That (upper) ridge will continue to move east through Saskatchewan as the days continue.”

There are currently heat warnings for areas like Maple Creek, Shaunavon, Eastend and Val Marie. Mauti said areas like Regina and Saskatoon will likely experience weather in the high 20s C and low 30s C to end the week.

“However, Monday and Tuesday, it’s possible that you’ll see (temperatures) more into the mid 30s,” she said.

Mauti said the heat is expected to peak early next week, but there will still be warm temperatures afterward.

“Still warm but closer to normal,” she said. “So (we’re) looking more in the upper 20s for the temperatures to end out next week and then it looks like early August, there’s a possibility that some of those temperatures could increase again.

“But it’s looking like (when we) get toward the end of next week and into the end of July, temperatures (will be) closer to normal.”

In a media release late Friday afternoon, the City of Regina said it will activate its extreme weather strategy if necessary.

That includes the distribution of bottled water by frontline service providers and at fire stations throughout the city. There also are fire hydrant water stations at Core Community Park (1205 11th Ave.), Victoria Park (2190 Victoria Ave.) and Buffalo Meadows Park (3355 Eighth Ave.).

As well, the city will activate the Safe Bus Program, giving anyone who requires assistance during extreme weather events a place to cool off.

“Those in need can hold up their hand (palm facing out) in the direction of an approaching bus to signal the driver that they need help,” the release said. “Bus operators are trained to recognize this as a sign of distress and will stop to provide assistance.”

There also are numerous cooling spaces and services in the city; a list of their locations can be found here.

Smoke

Most of northern Saskatchewan is still under a special air quality statement.

“Actually right now, we have a weak front possibly pushing some of the more widespread smoke out of northern Saskatchewan. However, it looks like that might return for early next week,” Mauti said.

She said it’s possible that more southern areas could see some haziness from the smoke as the front moves south.

“Right now, the south is looking OK still,” Mauti said.

“(There are) AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) values in the threes and fours for Regina and Saskatoon, and even other parts in southern Saskatchewan as well including Swift Current and Estevan. So (we’re) not seeing super high values there right now.”