Wind warning issued for parts of central and southern Sask. as weather records tumble

Strong winds are on the way in the southern half of the province after a day of record-setting warm weather.

Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moodie said large parts of Saskatchewan can expect wind gusts ranging from 80-90 km/h Thursday, even getting as strong as 100 km/h in areas like Kindersley and North Battleford.

Read more:

• Record-breaking temperatures recorded in 12 Saskatchewan communities on Monday
• Sask. to see high winds, gusts up to 100 km/h and return to normal temps
• Drone, dogs, snowmobiles used to find victims in northern Sask. forest: RCMP

Moodie said the whipping winds will move from western Saskatchewan towards the southeast, impacting Saskatoon on Thursday morning and into the afternoon before hitting Regina later in the afternoon and early evening.

Large parts of Saskatchewan, including Regina and Saskatoon, were covered by a wind warning from Environment Canada on Thursday morning. (Environment Canada)

The meteorologist said with such high wind speeds, “we’re really starting to see some damage” like tree branches breaking.

Moodie said residents should secure anything loose in their yards and avoid going out on the highways if possible, as some flurries are expected to accompany the wind.

“(I) certainly don’t recommend any non-essential travel,” she said.

“We are expecting areas of reduced visibility and blowing snow throughout Saskatchewan.”

The warning-level winds should ease up by Thursday evening, “but it’s really going to stay windy throughout southern Saskatchewan through Friday,” Moodie noted.

She said this type of weather isn’t uncommon at this time of year, thanks to the competing energy between cold and warm air.

Even though the strong winds aren’t anything out of the ordinary, Moodie said “this has been a bit of a different winter so far.”

Record-breaking temperatures

Saskatchewan has seen record-breaking heat this week, with 12 communities around the province setting new heat records on Monday. The longest-standing record that got defeated was in La Ronge, which reached 7.3 C on Jan. 12, beating its previous record of 5.6 C, which was set in 1928.

The other communities that broke records on Monday were Buffalo Narrows, Cypress Hills, Key Lake, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Rockglen, Scott, Southend and Waskesiu. While it didn’t shatter any records, the hottest place in the province on Monday was Maple Creek, which recorded a temperature of 12 C.

On Wednesday, Environment Canada logged another 16 record-high temperatures in Saskatchewan. The communities that set or tied records were:

• Buffalo Narrows: 9.5 C (previous record was 7.5 C, set in 1986);
• Collins Bay: 2.5 C (previous record was -0.6, set in 2025);
• Cypress Hills: 14.2 C (previous record was 9.5 C, set in 1986);
• Key Lake: 4.2 C (previous record was 0.4 C, set in 2025);
• La Ronge: 6.4 C (previous record was 5.6 C, set in 1942);
• Lucky Lake: 4.6 (tied record of 4.6, set in 1999);
• Maple Creek: 15.4 (previous record 13.5, set in 2008);
• Meadow Lake: 8.6 C (previous record was 6.1 C, set in 1986);
• Melfort: 4.3 C (previous record was 3.5 C, set in 1988);
• Scott: 6 C (previous record was 5 C, set in 1926);
• Southend Reindeer: 2.5 C (previous record was 0.8 C, set in 2025);
• Spiritwood: 6.2 C (previous record 6.1 C, set in 1942);
• Stony Rapids: 0.3 C (previous record -2 C, set in 2022);
• Swift Current: 8.8 C (previous record 7.8 C, set in 1973);
• Uranium City: 0.7 C (previous record -2.3 C, set in 1999);
• Waskesiu: 7.7 C (previous record 5.5 C, set in 1986); and
• Wynyard: 5.2 C C (previous record was 2.5 C, set in 1986).

The latest updates on the wind warnings can be found on Environment Canada’s website, and current information on highway conditions can be found on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.

‘Spring in January’: Warm weather makes for fun visit to Regina dog park

Regina residents were out taking full advantage of Wednesday’s warm weather at Cathy Lauritsen Memorial Off-leash Dog Park.

It’s a spot that Archie Legare often visits with Reese, his one-year-old German shepherd.

“It’s a beautiful day. I come out here whether it’s really nice or cold. I’ve got a German Shepherd who needs a lot of exercise, so I’m usually out here five days a week for at least an hour,” he said.

The snow was in good condition on Wednesday afternoon, which Legare said is preferable to when it gets muddy and slushy in spring.

“I love this week. It’s been beautiful, and it’s nice to have a little bit of spring in January, so I’m making the best of it,” he said.

Danielle Ash was also out at the park on Wednesday with Eve, her three-year-old pit bull.

“It’s such a beautiful day,” she said. “We have to get outside. It’s even too hot for my winter jacket.”

Eve the pit bull was rolling around in the snow at Cathy Lauritsen Memorial Off-Leash Dog Park on Wednesday. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

Ash said Eve was especially enjoying the day, since she loves to run around the off-leash park and interact with other dogs.

“Right now she’s rolling around in the snow,” Ash said. “She likes winter more.”

Ash said the area around her house is a bit muddy, so cleaning Eve up can be a bit of a hassle when they come home, as she wants to prevent mud from tracking inside the house.

Adam Kuni has had Odin, his Newfoundland, for about eight months. Kuni said Odin is still a “work-in-progress” as the two-year-old dog is still getting used to being around people.

(Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

“Coming out here has been amazing. He gets along well with the dogs, and it helps him get used to people,” Kuni said. “Obviously you can tell he’s very nervous around people.”

Kuni said when it temperatures drop to around -25 C or lower, snow often turns into ice in Odin’s paw pads, which he has to clean out when they’re walking.

He said he’s considered dog boots, but has concerns over Odin’s ability to get traction while wearing them.

Kuni often does livestreams on TikTok with Odin when they’re visiting the park, which is a preferred spot for the duo.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Daniel Reech