Environment Canada predicts warmer-than-average summer for Sask.

Environment Canada predicts warm temperatures this summer in Saskatchewan.

But Senior Climatologist David Philips said it shouldn’t be as hot as last summer.

“Last year you had the third warmest summer on record in Saskatchewan, and when you look at May to September, it was the warmest of all time — 77 years of records.”

Over the next three months, Philips expects similar temperatures.

“For June, July, and August, it looks like it will continually be on the warm side. So that is great for vacationers; it doesn’t matter when you take your two weeks off, there is a good chance you will get some really good weather.”

He also said it is looking like it will be drier than normal this summer. That is despite the significant amounts of rainfall seen across the province last month.

“May has been absolutely incredible, with 50 per cent more precipitation than normal. There is no dry area in the whole province, based on the last 90 days of rain,” said Philips.

“In May you had twice as much rain as last year.”

Philips suggested that rain has helped build reserves for when drier conditions come.

“I think the farming situation, the forestry situation is in good shape this year compared to last year.”

Meanwhile, Environment Canada is calling for rain over the next two days.

“That is a very slow-moving system from Montana and Alberta moving in with some moisture from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico,” added Philips.

He said 20 to 30 millimeters, about an inch, of rain is expected to fall between Monday and Tuesday, with slightly more rain expected to fall in Central Saskatchewan.

“Moving forward, we see what a beautiful week of weather coming up after the rain. Bright sunshine and temperatures that are very close to normal.”