An area of low pressure moving through the Red River Valley and Southeastern Manitoba brought showers and thunderstorms to the region Wednesday afternoon and evening. Our PembinaValleyOnline Rainwatchers reported a number of downpours in various areas which led to half an inch (12.5mm) or more falling in less than 30 minutes.
"These storms bubbled up fairly quickly Wednesday afternoon as that trough of low-pressure slid through the area," said CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. "As the overall system moved southeasterly, some regions saw a couple waves of showers and non-severe thunderstorms. These storms were also quite spotty, as you can see from the reports below. There were a few areas that saw higher totals from stronger thunderstorm cells, but it wasn't a widespread rainfall event, that's for sure."
The following precipitation totals are courtesy PembinaValleyOnline Rainwatchers, Environment Canada and the Manitoba Ag Weather Network:
Menisino - 28.5mm (just over 1.1 inches)
Altona (in town) - 17mm (almost 7/10)
Gretna - 16.2mm
Sprague - 13.7mm
Woodmore - 12.5mm (1.2 inch)
Altona (rural) - 8.8mm
Morris - 5.2mm (just over 2/10th)
Morden - 3.9mm
Elm Creek - 3.3mm
Steinbach - 3.0mm
Dominion City - 2.2mm
Winkler - 2.1mm
Reinland - 1.8mm (both Tues and Thurs)
Winnipeg (airport) - 1.6mm
Carman - 1.4mm
Emerson - 1.0mm
25mm = 1 inch
Looking ahead to the rest of the week and weekend, Sumner noted seasonal temperatures and Summer weather will return.
"When we look at the maximum daytime highs for most points in Southern Manitoba since July 1st, the vast majority have been several degrees below average for that point in the month," he said. "For example, the Environment Canada weather station at Gretna has recorded twelve days when highs were below average, with most of them two to four degrees cooler than usual."
Sumner stressed, that stretch is now behind us, with a change in the pattern meaning more sunshine, warmer temperatures and that general Summer feel many enjoy.
"We're expecting a ridge of high pressure to build in over the Prairies in the coming days, and that will mean mainly sunny conditions and daytime highs returning to the upper twenties or low thirties from Thursday through most of next week," he said. "There are signs we may see a couple weak disturbances move through which could lead to a shower, or two, but overall, a dry pattern is looking likely for the next five to seven days."