Winter a no-show in November

'Tis the season for yo-yoing weather in Saskatchewan. After a cool and rainy October, November saw some of the warmest temperatures on record.

This November, the average daily maximum temperature wasjust over 8 C in Regina and just under 7 C in Saskatoon. According to climate normals, daily highs should average 0.1and 1.2in Regina and Saskatoon respectively for the month of November.

This month also saw 24 of the 30 days at or above the freezing mark in Regina and Saskatoon, which is around 10 more days above what you'd normally see.

How does this compare to previous years? 2015was the winter that wasn't in Saskatchewan. Average daily highs last November, while above seasonal, were around five degreescooler than this year's averages in Regina and Saskatoon.

In fact, this November was the warmest on record in Regina and the warmest in 100 years in Saskatoon as well as many other communities

Why so skewed?

The first half of November this year saw day after day of record-breaking temperatures. Highs reached the teens and even 20s in some areas throughout the first 14 days of the month. The prolonged heat was thanks to deep ridges of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, combined with the Pineapple Express, which helped pullwarm air into Western Canada.

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How long will the heat last?

Although the first few days of December are forecasted to be above seasonal once again, there is a cool down in sight. Next week, a cold Arctic air mass will migrate over the Prairies, dropping temperatures to the minus double digits and possibly bringingnear 30temperatures byWednesdaynight.

So if you are waiting to hang those Christmas lights or pick up extension cords for your car, this weekend may be the best time.