Severe storms shift eastward to Manitoba, northwestern Ontario
A low-pressure system moving across the northern Prairies will shift the region's severe storm risk to Manitoba and much of northwestern Ontario to close out the week. Though individual storms may feature brief heavy downpours, the region as a whole, already arid this summer, can expect a few more days of dry and hot conditions for the weekend and beyond. More on the severe threat and beyond, below.
FRIDAY: SEVERE STORM THREAT SHIFTS EAST
As the front that brought Thursday's storms moves eastward along the Prairies, severe thunderstorm risk will move along with it.
On Friday, a slice of Manitoba, including Winnipeg, along with much of northwestern Ontario up to Thunder Bay, is in the severe risk zone, as the front pushes into unstable air over the region. Any storms that do cross the severe threshold are likely to produce heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, and large hail.
The centre of low pressure responsible for the cold front will also produce some pretty gusty winds across the Prairies, especially in northern regions. Some communities in northern Alberta and Saskatchewan could see wind gusts of 60 to 80 km/h behind the front.
LOOK AHEAD: STAYING WARM AND MOSTLY DRY
The Prairie region has been in the grip of hot temperatures for some time, and according to Dr. Doug Gillham, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, there's little relief ahead yet, with hot and dry conditions expected for the weekend and into next week.
"The extreme heat will stay south of the border, but we will still see an extended period with above seasonal temperatures with little rain, so severe drought conditions will continue across much of the region," Gillham says, adding there will be some risk of strong to severe storms for central Alberta Sunday afternoon/evening.
Continued high heat and little rainfall is a terrible prospect for agriculture on the Prairies, which is already suffering from the effects of the heat and dryness they’ve experienced so far this season.
WATCH BELOW: WHAT LONGER, HOTTER, AND MORE FREQUENT HEAT WAVES MEANS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Be sure to check back for the latest forecast and conditions on the Prairies.
