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(Cam Lee/northeastNOW)
Weekend weather

Smoky conditions and rain expected in many areas this weekend

Jul 18, 2025 | 10:41 AM

Smoke and showers are the two big stories for much of Saskatchewan as the weekend approaches.

Crawford Luke of Environment and Climate Change Canada told northeastNOW that areas including the northeast can expect the smoke from wildfires to increase as Friday progresses.

“Definitely looks like it’s going to get worse by this afternoon, unfortunately,” Luke said.

Air quality warnings are currently in place in areas of the northeast, including Melfort, along with Prince Albert and La Ronge.

There is a small chance of showers or thunderstorms today, according to Luke. Showers will arrive in Melfort and area Saturday night and will last through much of Sunday. The northeast can expect around 10 to 15 mm of rain during that time.

“Hopefully that rain will help clear out some of that smoke for Sunday, so hopefully that’s a silver lining.”

The North Battleford region will receive rain earlier on Saturday as the system comes in from Alberta and moves east.

“Further west [the rain] could [begin] Saturday morning or throughout the day,” Luke explained.

As you go to La Ronge and areas in northern Saskatchewan, the air quality will be a significant issue in the coming days. Luke said it will be very smoky in those areas, and the smoke could be nearly as bad in the northeast and other local areas later today into Saturday morning.

“Closer to the fires there is a lot of smoke out there right now, and so there’s some really bad air quality associated with that,” said Luke.

The unsettled weather will continue into early next week, according to Luke. Showers could linger after the weather system moves through Saskatchewan, but some high pressure will bring drier, warmer conditions toward the middle of next week.

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com