The spring has felt more like the height of summer in southern Saskatchewan this year, and according to at least one meteorologist, it’s going to stay that way.
“I think we’re going to see more heat waves than usual. I would not be surprised we see twice as many days getting above 32,” said Brett Anderson, a meteorologist with Accuweather.
Anderson explained three reasons he said the summer will be very warm this year. It’s very dry, so sunlight which would go to evaporating water will just warm things up. Water temperatures off the west coast are a couple of degrees warmer than normal. And it’s been unseasonably warm in the far north and there’s less sea ice, so the water is darker and therefore absorbs more heat.
“So all the sources of air that could possibly come into our region are warmer than normal with a drier soil, that tells us there’s a good possibility we’re going to be dealing with a very warm, to hot summer.”
Anderson said he thinks climate change is really starting to have an impact.
“It seems like year after year now, we’re dealing with a lot more reds on our maps than the blues.”
Warm weather to stick around Saskatchewan
By Lisa Schick
May 21, 2016 | 9:00 AM