Saskatchewan unwraps weather records on Boxing Day

Saskatchewan shoppers in search of Boxing Day deals were able to leave the winter jackets behind this year.

Eleven communities set high temperature records on Tuesday, thanks to mild weather that shows no sign of ending across the province.

The mercury in Saskatoon hit 6.2 C to beat the previous mark of 4.4 C set in 1928. The warmest place in the province was Leader, which set a record of 11 C.

Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moody said it’s common to see temperature fluctuations in December, but the duration of this mild weather has been abnormal.

“It looks like things are certainly going to stay above seasonal,” Moody said. “Conditions look to be quite mild really for the rest of this week.

“We maybe a little bit of a cool down next week, but again, still staying above normal.”

Other temperature records on Dec. 26

• Kindersley 7.6 C (5.5 C, 2011)
• Lucky Lake 8.4 C (8 C, 1980)
• Maple Creek 10.7 C (10.7 C, 1994)
• Moose Jaw 9.3 C (7.1 C, 1994)
• Rockglen 7.4 C (5.6 C, 1976)
• Rosetown 7.8 C (5.6 C, 1997)
• Spiritwood 7.3 C (6.1 C, 1999)
• Wynyard 8.6 C (6.4 C, 2005)
• Uranium City -3.1 C (-3.3, 2005)

Moody said the mild temperatures are a combination of a couple of things.

“We’re in an El Niño year. I’m sure everyone has heard that, which characteristically gives us a little bit of a warmer winter,” Moody explained.

“We’ve just been under a stagnant flow so there’s not really any systems that are moving through that are going to help drag that cold arctic air southward.”

Moody said the province will see a cooldown to begin the New Year, but temperatures are expected to remain above seasonal with very little snow.