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More -30 C days in January

Jan 28, 2019 | 11:00 AM

Temperature in 2019 has been temperamental.

In January more than one third of the days were colder than -30 C.

“It’s been a winter of extremes. We’ve gotten some very mild temperatures and now we’re getting these very cold temperatures,” Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment Canada said.

The 30-year-average for -30 C days is eight for the month of January.

“So far in January of this year we’ve had 11 days where the temperature has gone below -30,” Lang said,  adding that there is potential for at least two more before the month ends which would bring the day count to 13.

In 2018, Prince Albert experienced only six days where the temperature fell below -30 C.

Lang noted there is a glimmer of hope. She said as we move out of January the days begin to lengthen, which will help warm the Arctic air coming through.

Although certain days have seen a drastic dip, there’s also been a number of warm days which brings average temperature up to around a normal mark for January.

For the short term, Lang said in Prince Albert there’s a cold weather warning over the next couple days.

“This high pressure system is settling in for at least the next couple of days. So we’re going to expect some really cold temperatures. Wind chills will be in the extreme categories,” Lang said.

Lang encouraged drivers to be mindful of road and weather conditions especially when the mercury drops to very low temperatures.

 

ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni