Cloudy, Cool and Unsettled Week Ahead for Winnipeg

Brad Leave a comment

A series of slow-moving low pressure systems will move through southern Manitoba this week, bringing cloudy, cool and unsettled conditions to the region.

The first disturbance this week will move into the Dakotas today, spreading cloud cover and rain northwards. Winnipeg may see a bit of sun this morning, but skies will cloud over relatively quickly today. Rain will begin spreading north through the Red River Valley in the afternoon, reaching Winnipeg by the evening. Temperatures won’t be too bad with a high near 17°C, but that will likely be earlier in the day before the clouds thicken up. Winds will be noticeable today, though, picking up out of the east into the 30 gusting 50 km/h range.

The rain will persist through the night as winds gradually turn northeast and weaken. Rainfall amounts may be variable, generally in the 10 to 20 mm range. If a few embedded lines of convection develop, then localized amounts could increase into the 20 to 30 mm range. The only potential trouble spot in the forecast is the chance of a slight break in the rain developing over the Red River Valley between hang-back rain over southwest Manitoba and the low-supported rain spreading northeast. If this happens, a swath of the region will see little rain, but we’ll just have to watch as things evolve through the afternoon. Temperatures will dip to a low near 12°C.

Some forecast models suggest rainfall totals of 20 to 30 mm from midday today to midday Tuesady, but widespread totals will likely be lower than that.
Some forecast models suggest rainfall totals of 20 to 30 mm from midday today to midday Tuesady, but widespread totals will likely be lower than that.

The rain will ease early Tuesday morning, but chances for a few patches of light rain or drizzle will persist. Skies will stay cloudy with northerly winds of 15 to 20 km/h persisting through the day; with a high of just 14°C it will certainly feel fall-like out there. The chance for precipitation will taper off for the night, leaving Winnipeg with cloudy skies and a low near 9°C.

Wednesday will bring more cloud to the region with winds picking up out of the east to around 20 km/h. Temperatures will climb to a high near 16°C and despite the cloud it should stay dry through the day. The chance of rain will increase on Wednesday night as the next disturbance begins lifting towards the region from Wyoming. Temperatures will dip to a low near 11°C on Wednesday night.

Long Range Outlook

Thursday will bring more rain to Southern Manitoba as more energetic system pushes towards the region. As a result, there may be a few embedded thunderstorms move through. The region may see more rain with this system as well, possibly in the 20 to 40 mm range. There’s a good chance that some light showers will persist into Friday, then sunshine and near-seasonal temperatures return for the weekend.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is 20°C while the seasonal overnight low is 7°C.

Seasonal Temperatures and Quiet Weekend Weather

Brad Leave a comment

Winnipeg will enjoy benign weather this weekend before the weather turns unsettled next week.

A ridge of high pressure moving into the province will bring Winnipeg sunny skies and breezy conditions today. Temperatures will climb to a high near 21°C today with northwesterly winds picking up into the 30 gusting 50 km/h range. Winds will abate quickly this evening as the ridge moves in and sends temperatures to a low near 8°C.

On Saturday, a low pressure system crossing through the Northern Plains of the United States will graze the region. The rain will stay south of the border, but plenty of cloud will spread into the region. Winnipeg will find itself near the cloud edge, likely leading to mixed skies through the day. Areas south of Winnipeg will see cloudier conditions while areas north see a bit more sun. Temperatures will be cooler with a high near 17°C, but lighter winds will make for a relatively nice day. The cloud cover will clear out on Saturday night with temperatures heading to a low near 5°C.

Mainly sunny skies will return on Sunday with temperatures climbing to a high near 19°C. A weak ridge of high pressure will extend across southern Manitoba, keeping winds light. More cloud will begin pushing back into the region on Sunday night ahead of the next disturbance. Temperatures will head to a low near 8°C.

Long Range Outlook

A major change in the weather is forecast next week as several major low pressure systems are forecast to move through the region.

The first is a Montana Low that is forecast to spread rain with the risk of thunderstorms into southern Manitoba on Monday night. This system will be very sensitive to the location of a high pressure system over the northern Prairies; it will be pumping dry air southwards as well as support a strong deformation zone along the northern flank of the low. If the high slumps further south, the rain could end up remaining south of the border. Current forecasts have the rain tapering off on Tuesday with the potential for a widespread 10 to 30 mm.

The second system is a Wyoming low forecast to push into Manitoba on Thursday night. This low will support a large area of thunderstorm activity across the Northern Plains and spread a broad area of rain with the risk of thunderstorms into parts of Saskatchewan and much of Manitoba. It’s far out, so the forecast on this system is definitely subject to change, but could produce a widespread 20 to 40 mm over much of southern Manitoba.

We’ll be keeping an eye on these systems as they develop heading though next week.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is 20°C while the seasonal overnight low is 8°C.

RDPS 2m Temperature forecast valid 21Z Wednesday September 4, 2019

Pleasant Late-Summer Weather Ahead

Brad Leave a comment

Winnipeg will see variable cloudiness and seasonal temperatures through the remainder of the work week.

Great early September weather is on tap for Winnipeg today as temperatures climb to a high near 23°C with plenty of sunshine. Winds will also be light out of the south at 15 to 20 km/h. The cloud cover will thicken up this evening ahead of a low pressure system arriving from Saskatchewan. Winnipeg shouldn’t see any rain tonight; the precipitation with this system is forecast to split and pass through the southern Interlake and into the United States. A few showers may be possible in the Red River Valley with increasing likeliness towards the U.S. border. Temperatures will dip to a low near 14°C with light winds.

Skies will gradually clear out on Thursday morning, leaving the city with partly cloudy to mixed skies in the afternoon. Winds will stay light out of east-northeast as temperatures climb to a high near 22°C. Winnipeg will see a few clouds through Thursday night as a cold front sweeps across the Red River Valley. This front will likely stay dry as it pushes southeast, but northwesterly winds near 20 km/h will develop. Temperatures will dip to a low near 14°C again.

Winnipeg will see partly cloudy skies again on Friday but those northwest winds will strengthen to around 30 km/h for the afternoon. Temperatures will continue the slight cooling trend with a high near 21°C. Firmly in the cooler air on Friday night, temperatures will be colder with lows dropping into the mid-single digits.

Long Range Outlook

It’ll be a cool weekend ahead with mixed to cloudy skies and highs in the mid- to upper-teens. Conditions look dry with light winds. Kick off next week will be another significant low pressure system that has the potential to bring 10 to 20 mm of rain to the region on Monday into Monday night.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is 21°C while the seasonal overnight low is 8°C.

Rainy Monday Night Followed By Gradual Improvement

Brad Leave a comment

More rain is on the way for Winnipeg tonight, then the sun returns mid-week for several pleasant days.

A low pressure system pushing eastwards across the Prairies will bring more rain to Winnipeg later today. After a sunny start to the day, clouds will push back into the region this afternoon. Temperatures should reach a high near 19°C, but southeasterly winds of 20 to 30 km/h will make it feel cooler than that. Showers will spread into the region for the evening hours and persist for much of the night. There may even be a chance for a few embedded thunderstorms through the evening hours.1 The showers will gradually taper off overnight behind the low. The wind will ease in the evening, then pick up out of the northwest to around 30 km/h late overnight. Temperatures will dip to a low near 11°C.

A broad swath of rain and showers will spread across southern Manitoba on Monday.
A broad swath of rain and showers will spread across southern Manitoba on Monday.

Tuesday will start off with cloudy skies and a chance of some lake-effect showers drifting southeastwards of both Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg. Skies will stay mostly cloudy for much of the day, but a few sunny breaks may develop late in the afternoon. The cloud cover and northwest winds will keep things cool; Winnipeg will see a high only near 15°C. The winds will ease in the evening with clearing skies; Winnipeg should see a low near 6 or 7°C.

On Wednesday, a southerly return flow combined with sunshine will help temperatures recover back to seasonal values. The city will see a high near 22°C with southwest winds around 15 km/h. The next disturbance crossing the Prairies will push more cloud back into the region through the afternoon. Skies should clear back out overnight with a light south wind continuing. Temperatures will dip to a low near 11°C.

Long Range Outlook

The remainder of the work week is looking nice with highs in the low 20s or upper teens and variable cloudiness. Cooler temperatures will return for the weekend, but the region should still see a fair amount of sunshine. Unsettled conditions are forecast to return to start off next week.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is 21°C while the seasonal overnight low is 9°C.

  1. No severe weather is expected. ↩