Prairie cooldown on the way as Thursday’s severe storms focus on Alberta
Prairie temperatures are on the cusp of a cooler turn as an upper-level low gradually scours away the region’s stubborn heat. Thursday will see a risk for severe thunderstorms in parts of Alberta, as well as a spell of poor air quality from wildfire smoke across the region. More on that, and the longer-term temperature trend, below.
THURSDAY: AIR QUALITY PLUNGES IN MANITOBA, STORM RISK SHIFTS TO ALBERTA
Though some storms were still ongoing in the early morning hours in Manitoba, Thursday will see a risk for severe storms shift the western Prairies. The strongest storms are possible in northeastern British Columbia, northern and central Alberta, and possibly extending down into the foothills.
The strongest storms on Thursday could produce large hail and heavy rainfall.
Southern Manitoba is poised to struggle with the worst of the substandard air quality over the Prairies due to wildfire smoke. The worst of the smoke is expected to drift down toward the surface and bring very unhealthy air quality to that part of the province, including Winnipeg.
Temperature-wise, the focus of the heat also looks to shift slightly Thursday. The western Prairies will gain a couple of degrees, pushing some communities a bit higher than 30°C and others up to or slightly below that threshold.
In Manitoba, by contrast, temperatures fall considerably, as much as 5-6 degrees for some, with daytime highs in the low to mid-20s.
BEYOND: REFRESHING TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE WAY
Friday once again features some severe thunderstorm risk, with the biggest threats being strong winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall.
Non-severe storms and showers are possible ever a much wider range of the region, however, and the good news is there will be significant rainfall for the wildfire areas of east-central Manitoba in the short- and long-range.
Temperature-wise, even cooler days are ahead as the ridge of high pressure that's locked above-seasonal warmth over the region begins to break down.
By the weekend, most of the region will be comfortably in the low-to-mid 20s. In fact, parts of Alberta will be even cooler, with Edmonton and Calgary both set to fall below 20°C by the end of the weekend.
The exception will be southern Manitoba, which may still feel a bit hot, not dropping down to seasonal until the middle of next week.
Check back for the latest forecast across Western Canada.
