Severe storm risk on the Prairies hinges on wildfire smoke
The Prairies remain hot, humid and smoky on Sunday, with the heat building across southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba as the severe weather threat also shifts east
A renewed round of severe thunderstorms is possible on parts of the Prairies on Sunday after Alberta shouldered the weight of the active weather on Saturday
The threat on Sunday will move into Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where the greatest chance of severe storms will be established. However, wildfire smoke could be the wild card factor into storm development, and how severe any that form could get.
DON’T MISS: Busy summer sends Canada's tornado count soaring above normal
Keep up with the latest watches and warnings in your area. Take immediate action if a tornado warning is issued for your location.
Storm setup expands on the Prairies Sunday
In Alberta, a quieter day is expected on Sunday, though scattered thunderstorms are still possible, especially across central Alberta and near Red Deer. Most storms should be weaker than yesterday's, but an isolated, severe storm with large hail or strong winds can't be ruled out.
Temperatures remain hot across southeastern Alberta, while wildfire smoke continues to affect air quality in parts of the foothills and central Alberta.
But Saskatchewan and Manitoba is where the greatest severe weather risk lies on Sunday. Heat and humidity will fuel an unstable atmosphere as a developing, low-pressure system and frontal boundary trigger thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening, mainly across east-central Saskatchewan, and western and southern Manitoba.
Storms will have the potential to produce large hail, damaging wind gusts, torrential rainfall and an isolated tornado, particularly near the warm front where wind shear is strongest. With abundant moisture in place, some communities could see heavy rainfall in a short period of time.
However, wildfire smoke will act as a wild card in Sunday’s storm development and how severe they’re able to grow. Smoke can suppress the development of severe thunderstorms.
However, if storms are able to develop, the atmosphere is supportive of organized severe thunderstorms.
The hot conditions will continue through next weekend, but temperatures should trend somewhat cooler, closer to seasonal, as we progress through the first week of August.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.