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Southern Manitoba is bracing for a hot, muggy day that could start and end with a bang.
Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 29°C for Winnipeg on Thursday, with the humidex making it feel closer to 37. But relief from the heat may come later in the day as a cold front moves in, and with it, the potential for severe weather.
“We actually have thunderstorms that are ongoing right now and could be going through the city in the next hour or so,” said Robyn Dyck, meteorologist with Environment Canada, in an interview at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.
“Later on this afternoon, we are expecting the cold front to go through… with all that hot and humid air, it does potentially promote thunderstorms from happening.”
Dyck said the timing and strength of the cold front will be key. If it passes earlier, storms could hit Winnipeg and parts of the Red River Valley. But if it arrives later, the more intense activity might form further east, toward the Whiteshell and Ontario border.
The national forecaster says there is still uncertainty about the exact track and intensity of storms, but the ingredients are in place for potentially dangerous weather, similar to what southern Saskatchewan experienced on Wednesday.
“We did see some pretty large hail,” Dyck said of the storms for our western neighbour. “We had some tornado warnings out, no reports of any tornadoes, but we had some reports of some funnel clouds. But that’s the type of weather that we’re expecting for southern Manitoba as well today.”
Environment Canada says residents should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and the possibility of large hail, damaging winds, and heavy downpours. You can find the latest details, including weather radar, on our weather page.
Stay tuned throughout the day for the latest details.