After very minimal rain through the first week and a half of June, Moose Jaw and the surrounding area are in for a rough ride this weekend, as Environment Canada is forecasting 30 to 60 millimetres of rain for the area.   

Environment Canada is tracking a low-pressure system moving north from the United States into eastern Alberta, and southwestern Saskatchewan on Sunday into Monday. 

“It will kind of cut off right around Moose Jaw, the heavier precipitation, and Regina should see a little bit less too,” says Sara Hoffman, Environment Canada, Meteorologist. “Those heavier amounts will be predominantly over the southwestern corner.” 

In the month of May, Moose Jaw received 61 millimetres of precipitation, which is a big jump from the 48.8 mm average usually seen in the city. 

Almost half of the rain fell on May 13, when 33.5 mm of precipitation hit the community, with the rest scattered throughout the month. Environment Canada says it was the 41st wettest month out of 127 years of data. Since May 13, the Moose Jaw area has only seen 15.8 mm. The average precipitation seen in June is roughly 58.7 mm of rain. 

Residents in the area will also hear the loud roars of thunderstorms, as they are expected to join the rain this weekend into Monday. Hoffman wants people to be aware when they hear those loud roars.  

“If you can hear thunder, you’re within striking distance of lightning. It’s really important that even if the thunderstorm isn’t warned, and it’s not severe, so meaning it’s not producing large damaging hail, strong wind gusts, or flooding rain. It’s important to take that seriously,” adds Hoffman.  

If lots of rain and thunderstorms weren’t enough, Hoffman is also forecasting some good ol’ Saskatchewan wind to come into play next week. She is forecasting wind gusts could get up to 70 to 80 kilometres a hour Tuesday into Wednesday.  

Though rain is in the forecast this weekend, temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 20s all weekend. Saturday is expected to get all the way up to 26 degrees, and Sunday will be even hotter with an expected high of 26.  

The beginning of next week will begin to cool off, as Monday and Wednesday are only expected to get to a high of 18, with Tuesday a little warmer at 21 degrees for a high.