Temperatures in the low to mid-30s expected this weekend

As projected by Environment Canada, it’s expected to get very hot this weekend in the Moose Jaw area and across most of the province.  

Meteorologist, Danielle Desjardins spoke with Discover Moose Jaw, about what the weekend forecast is looking like.  

“For pretty much the whole weekend we’re looking at daytime highs in the low to mid-30s,” says Desjardins. “Today we’re looking at a high of 34 degrees, Saturday is a high of 35 degrees, and Sunday – a little bit cooler but a high of 30 degrees.” 

She adds that with the humidex values, temperatures are going to reach the 40-degree mark throughout the weekend. 

“It’s going to be within a degree or two of 40 in the Moose Jaw area specifically, so it was close enough that we issued a Heat Warning, because it will be quite hot, and the overnight lows are expected to be quite hot as well.” 

Humidex is a term to measure how hot we feel. Weather forecasters use the humidex to describe when heat and humidity combine at uncomfortable or dangerous levels. The average high for July is around 26.2 degrees.  

Overnight lows for this weekend are expected to be 16 degrees on Friday and Saturday night, and cooling down on Sunday night with a low of 12. 

Residents will get some relief from the humidity as temperatures are expected to dip down into the mid to high 20s early next week.  

With extreme heat usually comes some sort of a low-pressure storm following a heat wave.  

“We are looking at a chance of thunderstorms today, however, the heat is so significant that it is suppressing things a little bit, so it’s kind of a hit or miss situation where it’s either going to be very sunny and a pleasant day, or you’ll get a thunderstorm.” 

Following Friday, Desjardins adds that there isn’t a risk of a thunderstorm in the forecast until Monday.  

As temperatures start to rise over the weekend, so do the chances of people being struck with a heat illness. Desjardins wants to remind people this weekend to stay hydrated, find shade or an air-conditioned space if possible, and take several breaks from the sun.  

Though temperatures are going to be scorching this weekend, the possibility of breaking a heat record is unlikely. Friday’s record was set back in 1959 with a recorded high of 35.6 degrees, Saturday’s record is 37.8 set back in 1966, and Sunday’s hottest day in history was in 1967 at 35.6 degrees.