As folks in Portage and across the region gear up for the August long weekend, the forecast is calling for hot summer weather as we roll into the tail end of the season. But before you pack the cooler and hit the lake, there’s one more thing to consider: the smoke.
"It's going to be warm," says Crawford Luke, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. "We're not anticipating any heat warnings per se, but we should see temperatures in the mid to upper 20s."
While no heat warnings are expected, the humidity is set to rise, particularly by Monday, making it feel even warmer than the mercury shows. Still, Luke says the real concern this weekend is the air quality.
"It seems to be taking its sweet time to clear out. We should see the smoke improving with time this weekend. I don't know if we'll be able to shake it entirely, but by Sunday or Monday, we're hoping to be back to a moderate risk air quality as opposed to the very high risk air quality that we're experiencing right now," he explains.
Earlier in the week, forecasters had hoped that south and southeast winds would push the smoke out of southern Manitoba. But with wildfires burning not just in Whiteshell and northern Manitoba, but also across Saskatchewan, Ontario, and even parts of the U.S., it’s been tough to catch a clear breath.
“There's a lot of smoke around the entire continent at this point," he continues. "Even with a good wind direction, there's so much already circulating that it seems to be taking longer than we initially thought to clear."
The good news? Winds from the south are expected to continue through the weekend, which should keep smoke from nearby fires at bay and slowly improve local air quality by early next week.
As of Friday, the air quality health index remains at a 'very high risk' level in the Portage region, prompting health officials to encourage residents to limit outdoor activities, especially for children, seniors, and those with respiratory issues.
“If you can, stay inside in a well-ventilated space,” he advises. “If you need to be outside, consider wearing a well-fitted mask to reduce your exposure.”
Beyond the weekend, as the humidity continues to build, there’s a chance we could see some thunderstorms rolling in next week, though it’s too early to pin down specific days.
“With that humidity increasing over the weekend, we might start getting back into some thunderstorm potential. It’s something to keep an eye on as we head back into the work week," he adds.
Despite the smoky skies, there’s still plenty of summer to enjoy, and for many families, this long weekend is one of the highlights of the season. Whether you’re barbecuing in the backyard or heading out to the lake, local officials recommend checking the Air Quality Health Index before making plans and staying flexible as conditions improve.
“Hopefully, we’ll see some clearer skies by the end of the weekend. Pay attention to the air quality forecasts, and hopefully we'll see these alerts go away for a few days, and we can get outside and enjoy some summer weather."
For the latest updates on air quality and weather alerts, visit The Kitson's Towing Weather Page.
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