Forest fire smoke is expected to return to the region today, so Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for the Red River Valley and Southeastern Manitoba. Included are places like Morden, Carman, Winkler, Altona, Emerson, Winnipeg, Dominion City, Steinbach and Vita.
"This latest round of smoky conditions is being produced by the ongoing fires in the Whiteshell," explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "The smoke is being blown downwind, back to the southwest, due to an area of high pressure centred over Hudson Bay. The clockwise flow around that system is producing easterly to northeasterly winds, and that's pushing the smoke into our area."
For the latest Petro Canada Winkler forecast details, click here.
According to Sumner, that general wind pattern may last into Saturday, meaning smoky conditions could continue into the start of the weekend.
"As that surface high pressure slowly sinks southward over northwestern Ontario, winds will shift southerly across much of Southern Manitoba by the time Sunday arrives," he added. "That will set up what's expected to be a return to slightly above average temperatures for the start of the final week of May."
Mainly sunny conditions and highs between 21 and 23 are expected Friday through Sunday. Temperatures are forecast to turn warmer to start the work-week, and Sumner noted the long-range forecast models are suggesting mid to upper 20s by mid next week.
Averages for this point in May are 22 degrees for highs and 8 degrees for overnight lows.