Blustery weekend winds to cause travel issues on the Prairies
Prepare for strong wind gusts this weekend as a strengthening storm traverses the Prairies
A cross-country low will sweep the Prairies in style this weekend as powerful winds and rain accompany the storm across the region.
Prepare for tough travel in spots as winds gust high enough to make you grip the steering wheel. Gusts of 80-90+ km/h are possible.
RELATED: Cross-country storm to put a big spin on Canada’s forecast
These winds will likely impact major travel routes and highway driving, and are notoriously known for swaying or even tipping transport trucks at this strength and speed.
You may also want to hold off on any Halloween decor, as the weekend winds would likely spoil anything displayed outside.
Friday night through Saturday:
The trans-Canada storm we’re tracking this weekend will strengthen over the Prairies through the weekend.
Winds that picked up across Alberta on Friday will spread and strengthen through the evening hours. By late Friday evening, winds could reach 70-90+ km/h. Travel conditions will likely deteriorate along the QE2 south of Calgary through Friday night.
We’ll see these winds intensify and push into southern Saskatchewan through the overnight hours. Wind gusts will reach 80-100 km/h across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba by Saturday. Highways 1 and 16 could be impacted as winds strengthen through the day.
Meanwhile, areas across central Saskatchewan and Manitoba will see rainfall totals between 5-15 mm, making for a gloomier fall weekend in spots.
DON'T MISS: Ready or not, October snows can and will fall across Canada
Temperatures will fall behind the system before much warmer weather returns for next week.
Aside from this system over the weekend, however, a relatively quiet pattern is expected, with no major fall storms in sight just yet.
WATCH: Storm set to trek across Canada in coming days
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across the Prairies.