There were only three days during the entire month of May when the mean temperature was below normal.

The mean temperature in Saskatoon was 4.1 degrees above normal, making it the second warmest May in 125 years. North Battleford was 4.2 degrees above normal for its warmest May in 82 years. Records were also set at Key Lake and La Ronge.

Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang says El Nino can’t be blamed because we are still in the transition period with La Nina. A big blocking ridge pattern sat over much of Saskatchewan and Alberta and it had the biggest impact in Arctic Canada.

Rain during the last week of May helped central and southern regions, but it was still quite dry in the north. Meadow Lake and Key Lake only had 6.5 and 5.8 millimetres of rain respectively.

The maps and charts below are courtesy of Environment and Climate Change Canada. CJWW Agriculture Director Neil Billinger’s interview with Terri Lang is there as well.