Warm, dry weather expected for May

On the first of May, it’s usually safe to put away the winter gear and dig out the shorts and sandals.

In typical prairie fashion, Saskatchewan people had to deal with a wide range of weather patterns in April. Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang points out the temperatures in the beginning of the month broke cold-weather records before swinging up into the low 20s by the end of the month.

“If you consider it went from -23 C to 24.5 C, that’s a big, almost a 50 degree temperature difference,” Lang said.

She said the temperatures are expected to get back up to the low 20s by the end of the week and those warmer temperatures should be sticking around.

“The long-range models are showing that it’s going to be above average for the month of May but below average for precipitation,” Lang explained.

The lack of rain could pose several issues considering the lack of moisture over the past year. Lang noted March was the only month that saw average precipitation which was boosted by snowstorms. She said you can see the negative effects of the lack of moisture on agriculture and increased the risk of grass fires.

“We really do need those spring rains. I know it sort of interferes with peoples’ psyche and they want to get out and enjoy this, but the moisture is really needed,” Lang said.

Putting aside what the official weather models show, Lang cautions people to never discount the possibility of snow in May — she remembers camping in the snow on the long weekend.