Heat warnings in effect across Saskatchewan

Much of southwest and west-central Saskatchewan has been placed under a heat warning by Environment Canada.

The warnings were issued early Wednesday for areas in southern Saskatchewan including Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Coronach, Moose Jaw, Pense, Central Butte, Craik, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, Val Marie, Cypress Hills, Swift Current, Herbert, Cabri, Kyle, Lucky Lake, Leader and Gull Lake.

Other regions covered by the warnings include Hudson Bay, Porcupine Plain, Kindersley, Rosetown, Biggar, Wilkie, Macklin, Melfort, Tisdale, Nipawin, Carrot River, Outlook, Watrous, Hanley, Imperial, Dinsmore, Pelican Narrows, Cumberland House, Creighton, Prince Albert, Shellbrook, Spiritwood, Duck Lake, The Battlefords, Unity, Maidstone and St. Walburg.

Environment Canada lead forecaster Brad Vrolijk says temperatures on Wednesday could climb to about 33 C.

“In addition the heat, we’ll be seeing increasing humidity, particularly across the southeastern corner of the province and up towards Saskatoon and Prince Albert,” Vrolijk said.

“As we head into Thursday, we’re going to see more of a combination of heat and humidity, making it feel quite sweltering out there.”

In Regina and Saskatoon, Vrolijk says heat warnings are called when daytime highs get up to 32 C or if the humidex reaches 38 C, along with overnight lows that stay above 16 C.

He expects the hot air mass behind the heat wave to cover more areas in the province.

“I will not be surprised to see them expand eastward, through southeastern Saskatchewan into southwestern Manitoba, probably later today,” Vrolijk says.

He advises people to stay hydrated and to keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually between noon and 3 p.m. For those who can’t avoid the outdoors, he encourages them to take breaks.

“Things like even wearing a hat can help keep the sun off your head and help keep you away from sun stroke or heat exhaustion,” he says.

In Regina, there is a slight chance of a thunderstorm Wednesday night but the bigger threat is on Thursday afternoon, possibly producing large hail and high winds.

“There will be a disturbance moving through the province and it will be able to tap into that hot and humid air and will very likely see quite a bit of thunderstorm activity develop over south-central Saskatchewan and push northeastwards,” Vrolijk says. “Some of that definitely may be severe.”

More details are available at the Environment Canada alert page.