Unpredictable July Weather: What to Expect and How to Prepare!

July brought varied weather to Saskatchewan, showcasing extremes in temperatures and unusual precipitation patterns. According to Environment Canada, while the month’s overall temperatures were close to historical averages, the weather shifted dramatically between a hot start and a cool finish.

Meteorologist Crawford Luke highlighted that July 3 reached 32.4 degrees Celsius, with July 9 peaking at a sizzling 34.9 degrees. Following this heat wave, temperatures unexpectedly dropped into the high teens and low twenties for nearly two weeks. “This prolonged cool spell isn’t something we’d typically expect in mid-July,” Luke said. Thankfully, warmth returned towards the end of the month, with July 25 hitting 32.8 degrees again.

Regina experienced its warmest days in the first week, averaging only 18.1 degrees overall. Other cities like Saskatoon, Swift Current, and Prince Albert shared similar trends.

Rainfall patterns were also mixed across the province. Most regions remained dry, but areas like Swift Current saw significant rainfall, totaling 66.7 mm—much higher than the average of 46.2 mm—due to heavy rains in mid-July. “That’s great news for the southwest, which really needed it,” Luke noted.

In contrast, Key Lake and North Battleford experienced their driest July on record, while Regina received only 37.7 mm of rain, which is about 63% of normal.

Mid-July also brought hail, especially in Handsworth, where the largest hailstones were the size of golf balls. Regina reported quarter-sized hail during storms on July 20.

Another significant event was the impact of wildfires in northern Saskatchewan, which led to air quality alerts in Regina for 14 days. For context, the city experienced only 19 days of such alerts throughout all of 2024, showcasing a concerning trend in air quality. Meteorologists have noted that wildfire activity has noticeably increased in recent years, partly due to climate change.

Furthermore, funnel clouds were reported across the province, with two tornadoes sighted near Saskatoon. Environment Canada is currently verifying these reports.

The changing weather in Saskatchewan reflects broader climate trends. According to a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), many regions are experiencing more extreme weather events, a trend likely to continue as global temperatures rise. As our climate shifts, being informed about local weather patterns becomes even more crucial for planning and safety.

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