Amid multiple heat warnings, new temperature records were set in Saskatchewan over the weekend.
“We had eight records set yesterday — three minimum temperature records and five maximum temperature records,” said Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) meteorologist Terri Lang.
Cypress Hills Provincial Park beat its previous July 12 record of 30.4 C set in 2003, with a new record of 31.8 C.
Wyndard exceeded its old July 12 record of 30.9 C in 2006, reaching 32 C on Sunday.
Yorkton also hit a new record of 33.8 C; its previous record of 33.3 C was set in 1964.
Multiple heat warnings were in place.
“Friday the 10th, there are four orange warnings for heat and one yellow warning for heat. On the 11th, there are five orange warnings for heat, two yellow warnings for heat,” Lang said.
Sunday was even worse, with four orange warnings and two yellow warnings.
On Monday, orange heat warnings were in place for the RM of Antler as well as Argyle, Benson and more.
Lang said it’s all part of a heat dome sitting over the U.S.
“It still continues to settle in the United States. It’s just kind of pushed its way into the southern prairies. There’s still a little bit of a remainder over the southeast corner of the province, but today should be the last day for that area as well,” she said.
She urges people to avoid the heat if they can.
“If you have things to do outside, do them in the cooler parts of the day — the mornings, the evenings, you know, not being out during the really high-temperature part of the day, which is usually around mid-afternoon or so.”
She recommends drinking lots of water, finding shade and looking out for vulnerable people who may not have access to cool places.
How to stay safe during a heat wave
The province can expect some reprieve, Lang said.
“Those summer patterns, highs in the mid- to high-20s, maybe touching that 30-degree mark. Not expecting those really big numbers to come back over the next week. There will still be some humidity, but not that really intense heat that we’re feeling,” she said.
There will be more risk of thundershowers as the week progresses, she added.
“I think Wednesday is the next chance for thunderstorms.”
Having a safety plan in mind is a good idea, she said.
“Know what the weather forecast is, know what the weather is doing and when severe weather approaches, implement that safety plan that you have.”
