Heat warning lingers into Day 2 in south Sask.

Heat warnings remained in effect across the southern portion of Saskatchewan on Friday — and they could continue for at least one more day.

“(High temperatures should last until) later Saturday,” Environment Canada meteorologist Robyn Dyck said Friday. “But for sure by later in the weekend — so Sunday and even into Monday — things will cool down a little bit to more normal levels.”

The normal high for this time of year in Regina is 26 C. The expected high Friday was 32 C.

Dyck pointed out that the threshold for heat warnings to be issued in southern Saskatchewan is a daytime high of 32 C and a nighttime low of 16 C. If temperatures are at or above those levels for a day, a night and then a second day, a warning will be issued.

Environment Canada put out the heat warning on Thursday for the southern part of the province. By Friday morning, the warning remained in effect for five cities — Regina, Moose Jaw, Weyburn, Estevan and Swift Current — and their surrounding regions.

Swift Current was forecast to reach 33 C on Friday, with Shaunavon expected to reach 35 C.

Dyck said an upper ridge was pushing into the area from the West Coast, which resulted in the heat wave.

The criteria for declaring a heat warning was developed by Environment Canada in collaboration with the provincial government and Health Canada.

Last year was the first time the day-night-day criteria was employed, so Dyck admitted Environment Canada may have been “over-warning” people in 2018 while getting used to the criteria.

Now that forecasters are more accustomed to it, the number of warnings in 2019 seems to have decreased.

“It’s the overnight that’s actually quite important because then people’s bodies don’t get a chance to recoup, essentially, so that’s why that day-night-day criteria is in there,” Dyck said.

“But forecasting that from the weather perspective is quite complicated, so it’s more about creating more and better tools to allow us to forecast it better.”

Warmer weather can spawn thunderstorms and Dyck noted there were risks of storms in Regina’s forecast Friday. Having said that, though, she noted that the heat could squelch the light shows.

“Heat is obviously good for thunderstorms — it can produce very severe thunderstorms — but if it’s too hot, then they just don’t happen at all,” she explained.

Environment Canada warned people to “watch for the effects of heat illness: Swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.”

Dyck suggested people should wear hats, cover up and drink plenty of water.

“If you’re vulnerable — young, old, that sort of thing — (it’s important) just knowing your own condition and making sure to keep an eye out for your friends and family around you,” she said. “Heat stroke, it really just creeps up on you without notice.”

Hail, thunder, lightning hit Saskatoon

Loud, booming thunder shook people from their beds Friday morning in Saskatoon.

Environment Canada said the storm cells that moved through the area did not warrant a warning.

“Even what we consider non-severe storms can occasionally produce like a strong gust or a heavy shower, or a tiny bit of large hail,” said meteorologist Natalie Hazell.

Along with sporadic downpours, small hail was reported in the northeast end of the city.

Pea-sized hail coming down in droves in University Heights. #yxe #skstorm pic.twitter.com/AO4V9pjBhM

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) August 2, 2019

The city’s landfill was briefly shut down due to lighting and numerous power outages were reported, however they were short-lived.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS MALFUNCTION: after lightning downtown knocked the power out for a short time. Idylwyld and 22nd St flashing and Idylwyld and 24th flashing. Be cautious. A flashing yellow is yield, a flashing red is the same as a stop sign. #yxe pic.twitter.com/lZitbgZsfz

— CKOM Traffic (@ckomtraffic) August 2, 2019