Extreme cold shatters 14 records in Saskatchewan over the weekend

A polar vortex that has plunged Western Canada into a deep freeze broke records over the weekend in Saskatchewan.

Environment Canada said 14 communities set temperature records on Saturday and Sunday.

Leader was one of the coldest places in the province. The temperature plunged to -45.9 C on Saturday morning and was even colder Sunday morning, reaching -46.4 C and smashing a record set in 1972.

Extreme cold warnings remained in effect Monday morning for most of the province thanks to dangerously cold Arctic air.

Environment Canada meteorologist Kyle McAuley said the extreme cold spell is soon coming to an end. He said many of the cold warnings will begin to be lifted on Tuesday with daytime temperatures around the -20 C range.

“We are expecting some warming up to happen,” he said.

“We have extreme warnings today. They’re going to be out again for most of the province Monday night, but after that there’s some slight improvement.”

The warming trend kicks into higher gear toward the end of the week. Single-digit temperatures are expected to return to Regina by the weekend.  Saskatoon won’t be quite as warm, but will see temperatures closer to normal for this time of year.

Temperature records on Sunday:

• Kindersley: –43.5 C (–40 C in 2020)
• Leader -46.4 C  (-41.7 C in 1972)
• Lucky Lake -38.7 C (-34.4 C in 2020)
• Maple Creek -42.6 C (-38.9 C in 1950)