Sunday marked the beginning of a several day stretch of what's expected to be record shattering heat in Southern Manitoba, and according to Environment Canada that's exactly what we did yesterday with a number of communities establishing new daytime high marks for May 11th.
The country's first Heat Warnings of the year were issued Saturday afternoon, and they were for parts of Southern Manitoba including the Red River Valley and Southeastern Manitoba, and as far west as the Killarney region. The Heat Warning remains in effect for most of Southern Manitoba on Monday, and is expected to last into Wednesday.
For the latest forecast details, click here.
"Ridging over the Prairies, when the jet stream is pushed well to our north, has allowed, and will continue to allow, for a well above average air-mass to move into our area from the U.S. southwest," explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "Strong southerly to southwesterly winds at the surface will pushed that anomalously warm weather into much of the area yesterday, with it expected to hang around until Wednesday in some locations."
He noted, in most cases, the new records were several degrees warmer than the previous. For example, both Emerson and Dominion City were almost seven degrees hotter than the previous record set just last year.
The following data is courtesy Environment Canada, and is for Sunday, May 11th.
DOMINION CITY AREA (Emerson Auto)
New record of 37.8
Old record of 30.9 set in 2024
Records in this area have been kept since 1942
Records (Emerson) in this area have been kept since 1893
ALTONA AREA (Gretna (AUT))
New record of 36.7
Old record of 30.6 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1949
PILOT MOUND AREA (Pilot Mound (AUT))
New record of 35.4
Old record of 30.0 set in 1940
Records in this area have been kept since 1938
SPRAGUE AREA (Sprague)
New record of 34.4
Old record of 29.4 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1915
MELITA AREA (Melita)
New record of 33.7
Old record of 32.2 set in 1940
Records in this area have been kept since 1936
DEERWOOD AREA (Deerwood RCS)
New record of 33.4
Old record of 31.7 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1952
STEINBACH AREA (Kleefeld (MAFRI))
New record of 33.1
Old record of 30.6 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1956
"The heat wave continues today, and is expected to last through Wednesday, with highs each day expected to push into the mid 30s," said Sumner. "Gusty southerly winds and low humidity will add to how dry it will be feeling."
What about May Long?
"At this point, the forecast models are suggesting the ridge will move eastward and out of our area after Wednesday, with early indications of a dramatic change in the weather to cooler and wetter conditions ahead of May Long Weekend's arrival," he said. "It's possible we could see temperatures Friday and Saturday 25 to 30 degrees cooler than the start of the week."
Monday's forecast is for a a mix of sun and cloud, southerly winds up to 60 km/h and a high of 36 degrees.