Heavy June rain soaks southern Saskatchewan, while north remains parched

REGINA — Southern Saskatchewan’s soggy June was not just a feeling. New weather data shows several communities came close to record-setting rainfall, while the province’s north remained dangerously dry.

Environment and Climate Change Canada released its June meteorological summary, showcasing a stark contrast between a soaked southern parkland and a dangerously dry northern region.

While no all-time provincial monthly records fell, several communities neared the top of the history books.

Yorkton led the province's rainfall totals, recording a staggering 181.1 millimetres of rain. That amount is 202 per cent of the community's normal June baseline, making it the second-wettest June in Yorkton since record-keeping began.

Other major centres also experienced historic amounts of precipitation. Regina recorded 146.7 millimetres, 173 per cent of its average, while Estevan saw 136.3 millimetres, or 161 per cent of its normal June total. Both Estevan and Saskatoon marked their 10th-wettest June on record, while North Battleford tracked its ninth-wettest June after receiving nearly double its normal rainfall.

"We did have rankings that were significant with respect to monthly rainfalls," said Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. "A lot of places came in certainly in the top 15, if not the top five."

Conversely, the northern half of Saskatchewan experienced the exact opposite phenomenon. La Ronge received just 20.8 millimetres of precipitation through the entire month, representing a mere 30 per cent of its average June total. It officially marked the community's second-driest June on record.

Lang noted the dry system created prime conditions for wildfire development in the north, whereas the heavy downpours were concentrated from the parkland southward.

Stormy summer ahead

The heavy rainfall was accompanied by a highly active severe weather season. So far this year, Saskatchewan has recorded 15 tornadoes. The most powerful of the season was a severe EF3 twister that touched down near Oxbow.

More recently, the Northern Tornadoes Project confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down in Pelly and an EF2 tornado caused damage in Badgerville on June 28.

Lang said confirming these events has taken longer than usual due to the sheer volume of storms and the subsequent infrastructure damage.

"One of the reasons why it's a little bit delayed is because they couldn't get out there because so many of the roads were washed out to try and do the damage surveys," Lang said.

With a developing El Niño system making headlines, some residents had hoped the tropical Pacific climate pattern would bring a drier summer sequence to the Prairies. However, Lang dismissed those hopes as premature, explaining that El Niño impacts are only felt in Western Canada during the winter months, typically bringing warmer and drier winter conditions.

For the immediate future, Saskatchewan residents should keep their umbrellas close.

"I can see other days where there is a definite possibility of more severe weather," Lang warned. "We have so much moisture lying around. The crops are starting to grow. They give off a tremendous amount of moisture … I think it's just going to continue being that way."