Winter finally finds southwest

The historically mild start to winter in southwestern Saskatchewan has at last been defeated by frosty conditions.

Most of the region received sizable snowfall yesterday for the first time since November and this week temperatures could be North Pole-esque.

Overnight lows for the week include -20s and -30s with daytime highs late in the week struggling to hit even -30 C.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Justin Shelley said the shift from extremely mild to glacial weather.

"We really haven't had much of a taste of winter yet this season," he remarked. "It might catch some people off guard, so just for people to be aware of the cold upcoming and to take necessary precautions."

The coldest Swift Current has reached this fall/winter was -16.4 C way back on October 30. Although last night finally broke that mark slightly.

"Looking like below-normal temperatures for next week too," he said. "After a record-setting warm December in the Swift Current area and most parts of the prairies, it looks like January is going to flip the script and be colder for the bulk of the month."

Friday night's forecasted temperature of -35 C would be the coldest Swift Current has experienced since December 21, 2022, at -35.1.