🏆 The January Verdict: Who Won the Showdown?
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
After 31 days of record‑shattering heat, a bone‑chilling deep freeze, and wind gusts that could move a grain bin, I decided to take a closer look at which forecast had the edge for January: the high‑tech weather supercomputer or Jeff Woodward’s legendary Pig Spleen tradition.
While the Pig Spleen forecast runs from January to June, this showdown focuses on just the first month of 2026. One relies on climate models and data; the other draws from generations of prairie wisdom and a bit of old‑fashioned magic. So—which one came closest this January?
All comparisons are based on January 2026 weather data recorded at the Swift Current Airport.
🖥️ The Statistical Winner: The Weather Supercomputer
If we’re looking strictly at the numbers, the Supercomputer takes the trophy.
Environment Canada’s seasonal outlook (the broad 3‑month forecast, not a January‑specific prediction) leaned toward warmer‑than‑normal and drier‑than‑normal conditions—and that’s exactly how January turned out.
Comparing actual January 2026 temperatures to the 30‑year Environment Canada normal, the month finished about 1.8°C warmer. The Supercomputer also correctly pointed toward a dry trend: Swift Current recorded its second‑driest January on record.
On the math, the machine wins.
🐷 The Narrative Winner: The Pig Spleen
If we’re looking at the feel of the month, the Pig Spleen is our champion.
Jeff Woodward’s forecast warned of “extreme swings” and a “sharp cold snap near the end of the month.” He didn’t just say “variable”—he practically described the exact rollercoaster that dropped us from a record‑breaking 7.9°C on the 14th to –33°C by the 23rd.
The Supercomputer told us the average.
The Spleen told us the story.
🤝 Final Score: It’s a Draw!
The Supercomputer nailed the dry trend and the warm‑leaning monthly average.
The Pig Spleen captured the timing, intensity, and drama of January’s wild ride.
🌾 Prairie Takeaway
Trust the computer to tell you if the month will be dry —
but trust the pig spleen to tell you when to plug in the truck.
For more fascinating local weather lore, check out the Pig Spleen Weather Prognostication Facebook page for updates from Jeff Woodward!
Published by: Gull Lake Events
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