麻豆传媒

The weather in Saskatchewan often becomes the topic of many conversations. From never-ending winds to second summers, from summer tornadoes to snowstorms, from flooding rains to exhausting drafts and 45 C burning heat to blinding fogs.聽聽

Saskatchewan climate has four seasons, which are pretty distinctive, but they still vary from year to year. 聽

So when the temperature goes above 10 C in early March, I can't help but smile. 聽

Really warm and sunny days feel like a surprise gift at the end of winter. The warm wave Estevan experienced lately saw many people enjoying the first touches of gentle sun rays. They were even more pronounced after the severe cold vortex that paralyzed this corner of the province in February. And they definitely felt like an undeserved treat since the calendar hasn't even made it to the spring equinox. 聽

Not only the weather was playing its tricks this past few days, but Estevan's setup also made it even more interesting, as on the first weekend of March local people had a chance to enjoy a wide variety of activities all within a 20-kilometre range. Kiteboarders were trying their gear out at the Boundary Dam that they were sharing with those fishing from boats, all while ice fishers still were appreciating the last days of the winter season out at the Rafferty Dam. 聽

But as much as this heat was appreciated, I took it with a grain of salt, especially keeping in mind the funny Saskatchewan weather calendar circulating on the web and suggesting that it's only the "fool's spring" that we are seeing. 聽

As much as I wanted to believe that the winter was over, previous experience suggested that I shouldn't put away the winter jackets. 聽

I landed in Winnipeg for the first time on March 8, quite a few years ago. My first home in Canada was in the small town of Boissevain, and all I could see on the three-hour drive there was snow. The snow was everywhere from the highway to the horizon. The Prairie setup wasn't helping much. The snow was in the ditches and on the few trees. It was blowing over the highway and packed on the driveways.聽

Further travels to Saskatchewan didn't bring any different experiences. It was all about snow. 聽

I was told that it would melt soon.聽

That year snow in Saskatchewan finally melted in May, and the last patches of it hiding behind the buildings made it into the first days of June if my memory serves right. Even though winters were a bit shorter since then I actually grew some patience for them. Besides, living in the sunshine capital of the sunniest province offsets the winter challenges.聽

Saskatchewan is known for its winters, which usually last for about four to six months. They bring a lot of joy to those involved in all kinds of winter sports. 聽

A few snowstorms traditionally covering the area on a few occasions throughout the winter supply a good level of moisture in the dirt and fill up the dugouts, helping farmers make it through the season.聽

But this winter felt very different. It took forever to start, but once it started playing out it also wasn't going according to a script.聽聽聽

An enormously long and really tough cold streak followed by an unexpected heatwave and a lack of snow in the area turned it all into something a bit worrisome. 聽

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency recently released its updated spring runoff report for March 2021, and the situation in our corner is definitely not the best, as most of the far south, including Estevan and other communities nearby, is anticipated to receive a well below normal runoff with conditions here being classified as particularly dry.聽

So while this pretty unique warm wave felt great, a pile of snow covering the area would feel even greater in the long run, as it would help with saturating the soil ahead of seeding. 聽

I'm pretty sure we'll still see a few more weeks of winter here with well below zero temperatures and hopefully some precipitation. I want to believe that it won't last too long, and will soon turn into memories about another crazy Saskatchewan winter. 聽

But one thing I know for sure, a bit sooner or a bit later, but the cold days will be over, and the spring is just around the corner waiting to assert itself. It's this time of the year. It's almost here. We have to brace a little bit longer, and we'll see the first flowers popping up on flower beds all around Estevan, adding colours to the yellow, white and black winter-style life of the Energy City.聽