It may look like winter outside today, after a few centimeters of snow Monday evening, but this week's forecast might have us forgetting what month we are in.
The normal high for the Pembina Valley this time of year is -4 degrees. According to Environment Canada, daytime highs across the region this week will stay warmer than that each day. In fact, beginning Tuesday, temperatures should hit zero degrees every day this week through Saturday.
"We have the placement of various low-pressure and high-pressure areas going to allow warm air to get into southern Manitoba," explains meteorologist Natalie Hasell. "And we see some very warm temperatures, especially by the end of the week."
Starting Tuesday the air will warm up to a high of 0 to +2 degrees. Wednesday's high is expected to be around 0, and Hasell cautions there is a chance of more precipitation Wednesday night. After a daytime high of +2 on Thursday, Environment Canada is calling for 7 degrees on Friday.
"I think this is a little too optimistic," admits Hasell.
She says if we still have snow on the ground on Friday, it will be really hard to climb above five degrees that day. And, considering daytime highs do not exceed +2 before Friday, yet overnight lows stay below the freezing mark, Hasell says that will make it tough to melt a lot of snow before Friday.
Having said that, with enough snowmelt, Hasell says seven to nine degrees is within the realm of possibility for Friday. Should that happen, it's like new record highs for November 25th would be set in a number of regions.
Temperatures will peak on Friday, and then return closer to normal on Saturday when the daytime high is forecast to be 0 to -2. For Sunday, you can expect a mix of sun and cloud and a high around -7 degrees.
Hasell says there is not much wind in the forecast for this week, which should help prevent roads from turning icy when snow blows across. However, she notes the freeze-thaw cycle this week could be enough to create icy conditions. Also, any snow that falls tonight might quickly melt tomorrow, causing things to get slick.