Locals in Swift Current and the southwest enjoying the warmer temperatures of late will be pleased with the upcoming March forecast, according to Environment Canada Warning Preparedness Meteorologist John Paul Cragg.

Cragg reports to SwiftCurrentOnline Februrary was warmer for Swift Current historically by 6 degrees than past Februrary months. Average historic temperatures sit at -8.7 degrees, with 2016 posting an average of -2.8 degrees.

"We have such a variation in temperature, whether it s warm air over the Pacific in the mountains or cold air streaming down from the Northwest Territories, since we have two major airmasses with two different profiles, we can have extremely different winter temperatures," says Cragg.

John Paul says colder temperatures are a possibility for the area as it is still early enough in the year to have cold air from the Arctic make its way south.

"This year we have seen a warmer winter through the southern half of Canada. It has been a warmer winter across Canada but that is not always the case. In Saskatchewan, we can have a warmer winter but the province next door can receive much cooler temperatures. Swift Current can have a warmer winter whereas Yorkton can have a cooler winter. It has to do with warm Pacific air moving through the province and where the cold Arctic air is. Swift Current is closer to the mountains and has a better chance of seeing that warm air stream over the mountains and into the U.S."

According to Environment Canada, the warmest day in March fell on the 22nd of 1939 when temperatures reached 28.6 degrees. The coldest record was placed 12 years later on March 8th 1951 when the temperature dropped to -35.6 degrees.

Average March temperatures for Swift Current show -7.7 degrees historically, with Environment Canada predicting an average March temperature of -2.7 degrees.