Gradual Warm-Up Begins

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Winnipeg will finally see temperatures warm back towards seasonal values through the rest of the week as the Arctic grip on the region weakens.

Temperatures in Winnipeg will gradually moderate through the rest of the week, followed by a push of much warmer Pacific air. Today will be the last day of lingering cold as the Arctic ridge hangs back into the region just a bit longer. Winnipeg will see a high near -17 °C and light south winds under mainly sunny skies.

A weak upper-level disturbance will move through the region tonight, bringing some cloud and a few flurries to the Red River Valley. The cloud will help keep temperatures slightly warmer tonight with lows “only” around -22 °C.

Another ridge of high pressure will move across the region on Thursday in the wake of the overnight disturbance. This will bring partly cloudy skies to the region as temperatures climb to a high near -13 °C. Skies will clear out for Thursday night with a low near -25 °C.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 21Z Friday February 19, 2021
Milder Pacific air will start pushing eastwards across the Prairies on Friday.

On Friday, the region should see mainly sunny conditions with temperatures climbing to a high near -12 °C. Temperatures will dip to a low near -17 °C on Friday night, but southerly winds will strengthen into the 20–30 km/h range overnight as a warm front moves towards the region. This front will also push some cloud into the region by Saturday morning.

Long Range Outlook

This weekend will bring a definitive close to the cold snap over the region as mild Pacific air washes over the province. Highs will climb to around -5 °C on Saturday to around 0 °C on Sunday with some breezy south-southwest winds. Some snow is possible on Saturday.

Highs may even climb above freezing for the first few days of next week before returning to near-seasonal values mid-week. A couple chances for snow exist through the first half of next week as a few disturbances slide southeastwards across the Prairies.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -8 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -18 °C.

Deep Freeze To Slowly Ease This Week

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Winnipeg will gradually come out of the grip of bone-chilling cold that’s been in place over the last 10 days.

The polar vortex will slowly shift eastwards this week, allowing warmer temperatures to return to the Prairies. The temperature climb, unfortunately, is relegated mainly to the second half of the week. In Winnipeg, highs will only climb from around -23 °C today to -20 °C on Wednesday with a bit of a southerly wind at times. Overnight lows will hover in the low minus thirties.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 21Z Wednesday February 17, 2021
Wednesday will be a turning point for southern Manitoba where the bitter cold finally begins to break down.

Long Range Outlook

The rest of the week will bring partly cloudy skies to Winnipeg as temperatures climb back to seasonal values by Saturday. No notable snowfall is in the forecast between now and next week.

Temperatures will likely climb above seasonal values and close to the freezing mark by Sunday or Monday. Get the shorts ready!

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -8 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -19 °C.

Bitter Cold Continues Through The Weekend

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The polar vortex will keep Winnipeg in its grip with dangerously cold temperatures persisting this weekend.

Below-seasonal temperatures will continue this weekend as the polar vortex keeps dangerously cold Arctic air locked over the region. Daytime highs will stay in the mid- to lower minus twenties over the next few days with overnight lows dipping into the minus thirties.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 15Z Saturday February 13, 2021
It’s still really cold.

Winds will be light in Winnipeg through the weekend, but with temperatures so cold wind chill values of -40 to -50 will be regular across southern Manitoba this weekend.

Skies will stay mainly sunny.

Long Range Outlook

This bitterly cold weather pattern will finally break down through the course of next week. The polar vortex will begin to weaken and push off to the east through the first half of the week. As it then curls back northwards and reforms over the Arctic, milder Pacific air will begin to spill eastwards over the Prairies.

Daytime highs next week will tart off in the -15 to -20 °C range, but will climb to slightly above seasonal values in the -5 to -10 °C range by the end of the week. Overnight lows look to stay in the -20s through Wednesday night, then begin to warm heading towards next weekend.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -9 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -19 °C.

Dangerously Cold Conditions Continue

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The bitterly cold Arctic air that has lead to several tragic deaths across Western Canada will stay entrenched over the region for the rest of the week.

The polar vortex will gradually slump through Manitoba in the second half of the week, sustaining the dangerously cold weather in the region. Daytime highs will fall back into the mid-minus 20s by the end of the work week with overnight lows in the minus 30s. Winds will stay light over the next few days.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 12Z Friday February 12, 2021
Dangerously cold temperatures will continue through the end of the week.
RDPS Forecast Sounding for CYWG valid 21Z Wednesday February 10, 2021
Despite the cold conditions, low-level instability will develop this afternoon, producing cloud and light flurries.

Much of the region will see mixed skies with some flurries develop today as temperatures warm and low-level instability develops. Similar to yesterday, the air aloft is so cold that its able to generate cumulus clouds even with surface temperatures in the -20s. The clouds will taper off overnight, and then redevelop on Thursday. With slightly colder temperatures tomorrow, there will be less of a chance for flurries.

Sunny skies return on Friday.

Long Range Outlook

The bitter cold will stay in place for Saturday, but finally some relief will start developing on Sunday. Temperatures will warm back towards -20 °C on Sunday, followed by a gradual trend towards seasonal values through next week.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -9 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -20 °C.