Warmer, Windier Weekend Ahead

The coming weekend brings both warmer temperatures and windier weather to Winnipeg alongside a mix of cloudy and sunny days. Fortunately, it appears that any rain or snow will hold off until the end of the weekend.

Today will mark the first wave of warmer temperatures moving into the Red River Valley as a low pressure system moving across the central Prairies brings gusty southerly winds to the region that draw warmer air northwards. Temperatures will climb to a high near 15°C today under more cloud than sun as winds pick up out of the south to 30-40 km/h with gusts on top of that. Plenty of cloud will be streaming overhead through the day; it won’t likely be completely overcast all day and the sun may poke out occasionally, but overall there will be more cloud than sun.

Warmer air will be pushing northwards across the eastern Prairies today.
Warmer air will be pushing northwards across the eastern Prairies today.

Expect a low tonight near 10°C under mostly cloudy skies with winds out of the south at around km/h.

Saturday will be a beautiful day with cloud clearing in the morning, leaving a mainly sunny day behind with a high near 16°C and westerly winds of 20-30 km/h. Skies will remain clear on Saturday night with a low near 2°C.

The weather will start to turn on Sunday, but it will still be a fairly nice for a good portion of the day. Cloud will begin moving in through the morning hours as winds pick up out of the southeast to 30-40 km/h with gusts on top of that once again. Temperatures will climb to a high near 11°C before an area of rain begins moving through the Red River Valley in the mid- to late-afternoon.

Some weather models, such as the NAM pictured here, are giving Winnipeg as much as 10-15mm of rain on Sunday evening.
Some weather models, such as the NAM pictured here, are giving Winnipeg as much as 10-15mm of rain on Sunday evening.
The rain will taper off late Sunday night as temperatures head to a low near 7°C.

Long Range

The start of next week looks fairly unsettled with more showers possible on both Monday and Tuesday. Below-normal temperatures seem likely to return mid-week.

Winnipeg’s seasonal daytime high is currently 11°C while the seasonal overnight low is 0°C.

An Improvement In The Weather Ahead

I can't speak for others, but I think I've nearly forgotten what the sun looks like. Fortunately, a reminder is on the way as the persistent cloud that's been locked into the region for so long will be exiting stage right. While it'll take several days until temperatures climb back to seasonal values, the sunshine alone will be a much welcome change.

This morning will start off with some remnant cloud in the Red River Valley–particularly in areas downwind of the lakes where flurries will be possible–but the cloud will clear through midday, with plenty of sun appearing. It will be chilly, though, with temperatures climbing only to around 6°C. A hard freeze is on the way tonight as temperatures drop to -2 to -3°C under mainly clear skies.

A few flurries are possible in Winnipeg on Wednesday morning from a streamer off Lake Manitoba.
A few flurries are possible in Winnipeg on Wednesday morning from a streamer off Lake Manitoba.

Thursday will be a mainly sunny day with a high near 8°C. Winnipeg will likely see a few afternoon clouds, but otherwise no significant weather is expected. Temperatures will dip to around 2°C on Thursday night.

Breezy southerly winds on Friday will bring warmer temperatures back to the region with daytime highs topping out around 14°C. This warmer air will also come with a fair amount of cloud, though, with mixed to mainly cloud skies in place over the Red River Valley. The winds will be notable, though, increasing out of the south to 30-40 km/h in the afternoon.

Above-normal temperatures (red) will push into Southern Manitoba on Friday.
Above-normal temperatures (red) will push into Southern Manitoba on Friday.

With a warmer air mass in place, temperatures will be milder on Friday night with a low near 8°C.

Long Range

The weekend looks milder with seasonal to slightly above-seasonal temperatures in the Red River Valley. A major low pressure system will track through the region, however the precipitation associated with it should remain north of the Trans-Canada corridor, falling primarily across the Parkland, Interlake, and portions of Central Manitoba.

Despite not expecting much precipitation, we'll probably see a fair amount more cloud associated with the warmer weather, so enjoy these sunny days while we have them!

Winnipeg’s seasonal daytime high is currently 11°C while the seasonal overnight low is 0°C.

Chilly Weekend Ahead

Cool, unsettled weather will dominate the weather for much of the coming few days as a northwesterly flow of Arctic air puts a damper on the weekend.

The chill northwesterly flow will be in place for today and tomorrow, keeping temperatures well below normal and spreading plenty of clouds across the region and bringing several chances for showers or flurries. High temperatures will sit near 6°C and 8°C tomorrow, with overnight lows near 1°C both tonight and tomorrow night. Winds will be breezy today out of the west at around 30 gusting to 50 km/h and lighter on Saturday.

A smattering of showers and flurries are expected across Southern Manitoba today.
A smattering of showers and flurries are expected across Southern Manitoba today.

Today will bring widespread showers or flurries to Winnipeg & area today, with enhancement in the lee of the lakes leading to isolated bands of heavier precipitation. The unsettled weather will diminish overnight until all that’s left into Saturday morning is some streamer activity off of both Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg. There’s a slight chance that the lake-effect activity will clip through Winnipeg Saturday morning, but otherwise it should be cloudy & fairly dry.

A new disturbance will move into the region on Sunday, shifting winds out of the south and spreading some light rain across much of Southern Manitoba. Temperatures will climb a bit higher than they’ve been lately with a high near 11°C, but winds will be a bit breezy out of the south.

Long Range

Cooler weather will persist into the start of next week, but hope is on the horizon.

NAEFS Temperature Anomaly Forecast valid October 14 to October 21, 2016.
NAEFS Temperature Anomaly Forecast valid October 14 to October 21, 2016.

Models are all very consistent in building a fairly substantial upper ridge into the United States, bringing slightly above-normal temperatures for next week and fewer chances for precipitation.

From Well Above-Normal Temperatures to Well Below

It has been easy to forget that we’re actually well into fall at this point with the gorgeous weather that was in place over the weekend the continued mild temperatures to start the week. A potent reminder is on the way today as significantly cooler weather moves in behind a cold front that pushed through earlier this morning.

Today will start with a few morning showers tapering off, which may be followed by a brief break in the clouds allowing for a little bit of sunshine. Skies will cloud back up quickly, though, and the chance of showers will return for the afternoon. Winds will be fairly gusty out of the south-southwest today, increasing to 30 gusting 50 km/h midday. Temperatures will be significantly cooler than seen in the first half of the week with temperatures gradually falling to around 9°C this evening as Arctic air begins filtering into the region.

Skies will remain cloudy overnight as any remaining showers move out of the region. Temperatures will dip to down to a low around 3°C with the breezy conditions continuing.

Thursday will bring well below-normal temperatures to Winnipeg as mainly cloudy skies with continued gusty southwesterly winds. Not much is expected by way of precipitation and daytime highs will top out near 8°C. Expect an overnight low near 2°C on Thursday night under mainly cloudy skies.

Below-normal temperatures (blue) are expected across the entire Prairies in the wake of a powerful low pressure system that moved through the region in the first half of the week.
Below-normal temperatures (blue) are expected across the entire Prairies in the wake of a powerful low pressure system that moved through the region in the first half of the week.

Friday will see the winds shift to northwesterly, continuing to reinforce the cold air as well as firing up the Lake Effect machine. As a result, temperatures will be quite cool with highs near only 8°C again. There will be a fairly good chance of some showers, however that will be greatly enhanced in the lee of Lakes Winnipeg & Manitoba as streamers set up in the cool northwesterly flow. Winds will be moderate as well, increasing to around 30 gusting 50 km/h. Friday night will see temperatures drop to a low near 1-2°C with showers tapering off and some clear patches developing.

Long Range

Temperatures will remain cool with a chance of showers through the weekend and into the beginning of next week as southern Manitoba remains stuck in a northwesterly flow. By the middle of next week, though, we may finally see warmer air begin building across the Prairies, with seasonal to above-seasonal temperatures building in for next weekend.

Winnipeg’s seasonal daytime high is currently 14°C while the seasonal overnight low is 2°C.