Some possible welcome news for Saskatchewan farmers this spring as early weather models are showing lots of precipitation.

After 16 months of the driest conditions on record in Swift Current and the southwest area, things may finally change.

Environment Canada Meteorologist John Paul Cragg said the southwest may experience a wetter-than-average and a colder-than-average spring.

"That's thanks in large part to La Niña that's set up in the Pacific," he said. "Often with La Niña springs it is a little bit cooler than average and wetter than average, so there is potential for that kind of spring to occur."

Since November 2016, the weather station in Swift Current has recorded 203.2 millimetres of precipitation, the lowest amount of precipitation in any 16-month span in the station's 130-plus-year history.

"There has been a huge lack of precipitation out there in lots of areas over the last 16 months," Cragg noted. "Above average precipitation for the spring, I'm sure would definitely be a welcomed thing for many people, especially the farmers."

The 30-year average for precipitation in Swift Current per year is 357.4 millimetres.