Severe storms in Manitoba, temperatures on the rise

Saturday, June 4, 2016, 8:26 PM - Though much of the Prairie region saw no shortage of sunshine on Saturday, Manitoba has so far borne the brunt of severe thunderstorms.

Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings were in effect for some time in the province's Interlake region, as forecasters tracked storms capable of producing strong winds and nickel-sized hail. Some watches and warnings were still in effect as of 7:30 p.m.

Those storms are part of a large area identified by meteorologists as having the potential for non-severe storms, stretching from the far north through northern Saskatchewan into Manitoba.

"The greatest instability will exist north of the Manitoba lakes, with heavy downpours and strong wind gusts being the biggest threat," explains The Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern. "Manitoba will continue to be the exception throughout the weekend, as an unstable northwest flow drives a few chances of scattered showers."

Meanwhile, temperatures are on the rise on the Prairies as a high-pressure ridge continues to build. Temperatures will peak in Alberta on Monday, Saskatchewan by Tuesday, and Manitoba in the later week.

Saturday's storms came on the heels of a slow-moving system that produced scattered thunderstorms across parts of the Prairies Friday, causing funnel clouds to form and a landspout to touch down.

"These types of funnel clouds and landspout tornadoes are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms," Environment Canada says in a statement.

Funnel clouds were reported in Parkman, Sask. at 11 a.m. and in Redvers, Sask. about half an hour later.

A funnel cloud is, like its name suggests, a funnel-shaped cloud. If it makes contact with the ground (or water) the cloud will serve as the core of a tornado or a waterspout.

Taken near Redvers, Sask. Friday. Courtesy: Kenneth Moore/Facebook

Meanwhile, a landspout touched down approximately 3 km southwest of Elgin, Manitoba at 3:23 p.m.

The spout made contact with the ground for 2 to 3 minutes.

A landspout is a type of tornado that's not associated with the mesocyclone of a thunderstorm.

They are typically smaller and weaker than supercellular tornadoes.

Temperatures will continue to rise across the Prairies into the low 30s for Monday, with the risk of thunderstorms returning in Alberta.

Check back for updates as we continue to monitor the forecast.