Winnipeg will continue to see cool temperatures and variable cloudiness with no major pattern change in sight.
The shift to late October weather isn’t going anywhere, all thanks to a prominent “Rex Block” over the eastern Pacific. This feature has built a potent upper ridge over the Pacific which results in a large upper trough downstream: over the Prairies. This has, and will continue to, allow Arctic air to spill southwards and remain in place longer than we typically see at this time of year.
That said, today will be a cold one in Winnipeg. Breezy northwesterly winds of 20 to 30 km/h behind a cold front that moved through overnight will keep temperatures cool. With a high of just +4°C, Winnipeg will remain over 10°C below seasonal today. Skies will be mostly cloudy; a few sunny breaks are possible, but plenty of stratus cloud will remain in the region and streaming off of the lakes.
Through the morning, Lake Manitoba will be producing a narrow band of snow that will drift southeastwards off the lake. There’s a chance that Winnipeg may see a bit of rain or snow from this band a bit later in the morning. The lake-effect precipitation should taper off midday as the winds shift a bit more westerly.
Skies will clear tonight as a ridge of high pressure moves across the province. Winnipeg will see its first hard freeze of the season with temperatures dropping below zero this evening and reaching around -4 or -5°C by Saturday morning.
Saturday will bring slightly warmer temperatures back to Winnipeg as the Arctic ridge slides off to the east. Temperatures will climb to a high near 9°C with mixed skies developing for the afternoon. Winds will remain light at 10 to 20 km/h. A trough of low pressure moving through in the evening will bring a chance of rain showers to the city. Skies swill slowly clear through the night as temperatures drop to a low near +1°C.
Winnipeg will see some sunshine Sunday morning, but more cloud will move in for the afternoon. Temperatures will only climb to around 6°C. Skies will remain cloudy on Sunday night with temperatures dipping to a low near 0°C.
Long Range Outlook
Unfortunately, little change is on the horizon. Next week looks set to bring variable cloudiness alongside a couple chances for some rain. Daytime highs are forecast to remain 10°C or less all through next week with overnight lows near or just below freezing.
Winnipeg’s seasonal daytime high is currently 15°C while the seasonal overnight low is 4°C.
