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Environment Canada is giving a warning, not just a statement, as the air quality is currently greatly affected by the northern wildfires.
"As of late, we've had a pretty stagnant flow around the province," says Robyn Dyck, a meteorologist from Environment and Climate Change Canada (EC). "There's not much wind, so the wildfire smoke has just been accumulating, making the air quality really poor."
According to Dyck, the air quality levels are over 10 QHI. A statement is issued when the quality is between 7 and 9.
"Winnipeg especially, which is why we have a warning currently in effect."
Over the next 6-12 hours, there will be a southern wind flow that should help push the smoke north, away from Winnipeg.
"There is a 60 per cent chance of showers. In the summer, a lot of the rain we get is associated with thunderstorms. The showers that are moving through Manitoba right now developed last night in the states."
The rainfall amount isn't significant, according to Dyck, and won't necessarily help with the smoke.
"Sometimes the rain can bring smoke that's lost down to the surface, and it can make the air quality even worse."
Later in the afternoon, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms. People should keep their ears open for watches and if they hear a warning, people should take cover immediately.