More daytime high records were set Tuesday during the final day of the unusual heat wave which has baked Southern Manitoba since Sunday.
"With Environment Canada ending the Heat Warnings for the region, yesterday's record setters mark an end to three consecutive days of extremely hot, dry and windy conditions," noted CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "When we look back on this stretch of three days, it will be historical for not only just how warm it was, but also the fact it stayed that warm for that long this early in the season."
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According to Environment Canada, the following locations set new daytime high records for Tuesday, May 13th:
CARMAN AREA (Carman U Of M CS)
Preliminary new record of 37.0
Old record of 33.9 set in 1932
Records in this area have been kept since 1895
WINNIPEG AREA (Winnipeg A CS)
Preliminary new record of 37.0
Old record of 33.3 set in 1900
Records in this area have been kept since 1872
DOMINION CITY AND EMERSON AREA (Emerson Auto)
Preliminary new record of 36.5
Old record of 33.3 set in 1977
Records in this area (Dominion City) have been kept since 1942
Records in this area (Emerson) have been kept since 1893
ALTONA AREA (Gretna (AUT))
Preliminary new record of 35.9
Old record of 33.3 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1949
DEERWOOD AREA (Deerwood RCS)
Preliminary new record of 35.6
Old record of 31.7 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1952
MORDEN AREA (Morden CDA CS)
Preliminary new record of 35.4
Old record of 35.0 set in 1932
Records in this area have been kept since 1895
WINKLER AREA (Morden CDA CS)
Preliminary new record of 35.4
Old record of 35.0 set in 1932
Records in this area have been kept since 1904
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE AREA (Portage Southport)
Preliminary new record of 33.3
Old record of 32.6 set in 1977
Records in this area have been kept since 1886
Weather pattern shift begins today
"Today (Wednesday) is the pivot point in the pattern as we see a substantial shift in the weather over the next 24 to 48 hours in much of Southern Manitoba," said Sumner. "As the atmospheric ridge responsible for allowing into our area that very hot and dry airmass from the U.S. southwest breaks down and shifts to the east, a new pattern is setting up that will be dominated by an upper level low moving northward out of the United States, and impacting the region beginning tonight and Thursday."
He noted the cooler conditions have already arrived in Western Manitoba, which is now outside of the ridge area, with colder air flooding into the region this morning.
"There will be a significant difference in highs Wednesday in Westman compared to the Red River Valley and Southeastern Manitoba, possibly a 10 to 15 degree spread," he said. Highs in the Melita, Boissevain and Brandon areas are forecast to be in the 13 to 15 degree range. Meanwhile, in Morden, Winkler and Altona the daytime highs Wednesday are still expected to reach 25 to 27 degrees.
"As that low pushes northward, cooler air will be pulled southward due to the counterclockwise rotation around it, and that will quickly cool temperatures beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend," said Sumner. "Daytime highs will dip into the low teens for Friday, possibly the single digits Saturday, and then rebounding somewhat Sunday and Monday as the low pulls northeastward. Behind the system, a significant upper level trough develops over the eastern Prairies, meaning the jet stream is well to our south, and that's what will produce the continuation of the cooler conditions for several days."
Sumner stressed the cooler than average temperatures may be less than ideal for many long weekend plans, but the rain expected to accompany the low pressure system is much needed across the province.
"Currently, areas projected to be west and north of the low's centre are expecting the highest rainfall totals, 50 to 75mm+ is the current guidance, and that would be Westman, Parkland and parts of the Interlake," he said. "Closer to home, the Pembina and Red River Valleys are in line for accumulating rainfall Thursday night through Saturday morning, potentially 25+mm depending on how the system ends up tracking through the province."
Smoky conditions returning
"With winds turning northerly and northeasterly Wednesday, that will push forest fire smoke into the region from the blazes burning in the Whiteshell and near the Ontario border," added Sumner. "How thick the smoke will get will depend on a number of factors, but it will definitely be noticeable the next couple days."