Winter blast a ‘punch in the gut,’ but warmer November in store

The sudden onset to winter brought snow and lower temperatures to Saskatchewan, but temperatures should turn warmer in November.

David Phillips, a senior climatologist with Environment Canada, spoke with the Greg Morgan Morning Show on Monday morning.

“It was just a gorgeous September (and) October across the country and I think this is why a week ago when that cold and the snow arrived in Saskatchewan, it was almost a punch in the gut,” said Philips.

Last week’s first cold shot saw wet, heavy snow coating most of the central and southern areas of the province.

Saskatchewan roads and highways saw slippery and icy conditions with many crashes throughout the province.

On Monday morning, the Highway Hotline said winter conditions existed across highways in the eastern half of the province.

Visibility was reduced on Highway 16 from Sheho to the Manitoba border and on Highway 10 from Balcarres to Yorkton, as well as highways 9, 15 and 22 in the region.

On Wednesday, three Saskatchewan communities set records for low temperatures.

Phillips said these “sweat to slush” pattern changes make it difficult for people to adjust after seven months of having warmer-than-normal conditions.

Despite the blast of cold weather, warmer temperatures are on the horizon for the coming month, which could lead to some of the snow disappearing.

“We see some of that cold being chipped away by some mild Pacific air,” said Phillips. “My sense is that this is not the mild Pacific air that you’re seeing sitting on the ground.”

Phillips added that the first snow should melt a little bit before more comes. After Halloween, the biting wind chills should abate as well.

“We see November being warmer or slightly warmer than normal as we get near the end of the month,” Phillips said.

The warmer month to come does not necessarily mean that we are seeing the effects of an El Niño. Philips said the warmer and drier temperatures should develop in the new year.