Hot week in Regina starts with record-low temperature

This week’s expected heat wave in Regina started with a record-low temperature.

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang, the mercury in Regina dropped to 3.6 C on Monday morning.

“That beats the old record of 3.9 (Celsius) set in 1925 with records starting in 1883,” Lang said.

“There were other records set in Last Mountain Lake, Moose Jaw, Southend, Watrous and Wynyard and it tied at Indian Head … The records weren’t shattered. They were broken, put it that way.”

Starting Wednesday, most places in southern Saskatchewan will experience temperatures at or above 30 C — hot but not record-breaking. The current marks in most places throughout the province are in the high 30s.

Lang said the heat is expected to be a dry heat, without the discomfort of humidity.

“Hopefully the humidex values won’t get that high. The higher the humidity, the harder it is for the body to cool off and lose sweat (through evaporation) to the atmosphere,” she said.

Lang said the heat will last into the long weekend, possibly cooling off on Monday.

“People should prepare for the heat (or) have some ways of cooling off, (like) finding those cool places like shopping malls, movie theatres (and) swimming pools so that the heat doesn’t affect them too badly,” she said.

The temperatures will fall short of a heat warning. The criteria for one to be issued is two straight days where the daytime high is at least 32 C and overnight lows are above 16 C or with the humidex at 38.

“There’s a possibility (of a warning) but right now it’s not looking all that strong,” Lang said.