After weeks of enduring bone chilling temperatures and brutal windchills, going outside today won’t make you shiver.
Mother Nature finally released her grip on the cold Monday to give way to warmer temperatures in the province.
“It’s sort of nice to be able to tell everyone it’s going to be mild for next coupe days,” said Mike McDonald, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
McDonald explained a low pressure system in southern Alberta is drawing in warm air from the west coast and pushing it into Saskatchewan.
“It looks like this pattern will persist for the next four or five days. So we’re looking at temperatures well above normal.”
The mild temperatures are being tempered by strong winds across the province today. Wind warnings are in effect for the southwest corner with 90 km/hr gusts possible for places like Swift Current, Cypress Hills and Maple Creek this afternoon before gradually diminishing overnight.
It won’t be quite as breezy in Saskatoon and Regina with the wind topping 60km/hr at times today.
“So that will take a little bit off the edge off the nice temperatures. But certainly after what we’ve experienced over the past couple weeks, it will certainly feel nice over the next three or four days,” said McDonald.
The mild temperatures won’t last long however, as cooler air is set to return for the weekend just in time for Christmas.
McDonald warned the potential of above zero temperatures this week, combined with the small amount of snow on the ground could spell a brown Christmas for Saskatoon and Regina.
“If we don’t get anything in the way of flurries or light snow today, we’re not expecting any snow through Christmas.” Regina is slightly better off with a chance of flurries on Friday.