Four things you need to know about Thursday, July 17

Thursday, July 17, 2014, 7:14 AM - Wondering what you missed overnight or what you can expect for the day ahead? 

Here's your weather briefing for Thursday, July 17. 

1. Heavy rain drenches the east

Significant rain fell across parts of New Brunswick on Wednesday, with some cities seeing over 40 mm since Tuesday.

"An additional 15 mm is forecast for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland today, lasting through Friday in Newfoundland," says Weather Network meteorologist Brett Soderholm. "Humidity also continues for the next few days for the region, though conditions will be much clearer as high pressure sets in."

2. Feeling like fall in Ontario, Quebec

It's a chilly start to the morning for parts of southern Ontario, with some places seeing morning temps BELOW 10°C.

"And temperatures are forecast to remain below seasonal throughout much of Ontario and Quebec today," says Soderholm.

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Will the summer heat return?

"Humidity expected to return to southern Ontario by the end of the weekend, with the possibility for an isolated thundershower on Sunday for Cottage Country, down toward Hamilton," Soderholm says.

3. Significant potential for severe storms in Alberta, Saskatchewan

Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for parts of northern Alberta and Saskatchewan Wednesday night as a cold front swept through the regions.

"There's significant potential for more severe storms to develop in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan this evening," says Soderholm. "CAPE values are forecast to exceed 2000 J/kg, which when combined with significant shear and a mountain forcing, could produce supercells."

According to Soderholm, the possibility of a tornado can not be ruled out especially for regions along the Alberta/Saskatchewan border north of Medicine Hat.

"Similar unstable conditions are forecast for southeastern Manitoba on Friday as a front will be passing through in the evening hours."

4. Gradual return to seasonal temps in B.C.

Wednesday was another record breaking day, but a gradual return to more seasonal conditions is forecast in time for the weekend.

"Showers expected to push into the north coastal regions on Friday morning, and then heading to the lower mainland by Friday evening," says Soderholm. "This will lead to a relatively soggy weekend, though this will give some much needed moisture for forest-fire prone regions."

Widespread air quality/smoke advisories remain in place for the Interior.