Threat for power outages as potent winds whip across parts of the Prairies
Wednesday will be a windy, rainy day for a good portion of the Prairies, continuing the unsettled trend seen since the start of the week
Duelling weather features are taking centre stage across the Prairies this week. Highly anomalous rainfall may set all-time rainfall records across northern Manitoba, while essentially no rain is forecast across southern Alberta.
Meanwhile, gusty winds and isolated power outages are also likely across southern Saskatchewan on Wednesday, as a strong jet stream arcs across the province.
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The steady rain is certainly welcome even after a soggy May, continuing to quell the wildfire threat and some of the dry conditions still ongoing in parts of the region. Locally, some areas could see up to 100 mm of rainfall this week.
In fact, a rare, all-time rainfall record in Churchill, Man., is likely to fall as a result of the amounts expected.
Wednesday: Rain records on the table
Even though the region has been stricken with thunderstorm threats, and one confirmed tornado, the bigger story has been the heavy rainfall on the central Prairies this week.
While locally close to 100 mm of rainfall falls this week across northern Manitoba, not a drop of rain is forecast across southern Alberta.
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Highly unusual rainfall totals will spread across Churchill, Man., with a likelihood of a rare, all-time record being set as a result of the forecast that calls for 50-60 mm through Wednesday.
The previous rainiest day in June for the community is only 36.4 mm of rainfall, recorded on June 23, 1982. Its wettest day on record occurred on Sept. 3, 1983 with 62.3 mm observed.
Localized flooding is a concern for the region due to the amount of rainfall.
Threat for power outages with potent winds
On Wednesday, winds will peak and become a concern across southern areas of the Prairies, especially in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Potential gusts in the 70-90 km/h range are forecast. As a result, isolated power outages are likely across southern Saskatchewan as a strong jet stream arcs across the province.
Gusty winds continue for Saskatchewan on Thursday and Friday, with lingering gusts between 50-70 km/h expected.
Most of the Prairies have seen wetter-than-normal conditions over the past month. This rainfall will serve to pad the totals, bringing good news for wildfire prevention and the agricultural growing season.
A drier and somewhat warmer pattern is expected this weekend and most of next week, but a low-pressure system and some more wet weather is possible early next week for the southern Prairies.
Check back for all the latest on your forecast across the Prairies.
