Record-breaking cold in Sask. has been far from February norms: climatologist
Saskatchewan is currently in the grips of a polar vortex, which has brought frigid temperatures to the province. While much of Canada is dealing with heavy snowfall, Saskatchewan is facing extreme cold. Temperatures have plummeted to below -40°C in some areas, with wind chill making it feel even colder, around -50°C.
The entire province remains under an extreme cold warning, with residents advised to take precautions to stay safe in the harsh conditions. David Phillips, a climatologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, noted that February in Saskatchewan is typically warmer than January, but this year has been an exception. Temperatures have been significantly colder than usual, with some areas experiencing temperatures 12-13 degrees below average.
Over the weekend, new daily low temperature records were set in several communities across Saskatchewan. In Regina, a record set in 1927 was broken when temperatures dropped to -40.4°C. Saskatoon also saw a record-breaking temperature of -40.6°C, surpassing a record set in 1903. The Spiritwood area experienced a temperature of -42.3°C, breaking a record set in 1967.
Phillips pointed out that Saskatchewan is currently colder than Baffin Island in Nunavut, earning the province the title of the “cold pole of North America.” However, the good news is that the polar vortex is expected to dissipate soon. A system change will bring temperatures back up above freezing, with temperatures returning to more normal levels.
While March is expected to bring warmer temperatures to Saskatchewan, Phillips noted that it won’t be warm enough to ditch the winter gear just yet. Despite the extreme cold snap, residents can look forward to milder weather in the coming weeks.
