Environment Canada (EC) has issued a heat warning for Winnipeg and most of southern Manitoba heading into the weekend.
“There is currently a yellow heat warning issued for the Red River Valley and southwest Manitoba,” says Kayla Bilous, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. “We’re expecting temperatures in the low 30s. But what’s going to cause the heat is the humidex, and we’re expecting values into the high 30s.”
The heat will stick around over the weekend and even into next week. EC is asking people to watch out for heat-related illnesses during this time, especially for people who are more susceptible to heat, such as infants, the elderly, and the sick.
“This is essentially caused by a southerly flow from the United States that’s bringing really warm, moist air into our neck of the woods.”
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Heat warning advised from Environment Canada in Manitoba on July 24, at 5:00 a.m.
Thunderstorms accompanying the heat
Winnipeg is expecting two thunderstorm systems on Friday alongside the heat.
“With heat and moisture, those are the perfect ingredients for thunderstorms. We are expecting some thunderstorms that are currently in the Dauphin region. Those are going to move into the Red River Valley this morning.”
Once that system clears, Bilous says southern Manitoba could see a second round of thunderstorms that could become severe in the late afternoon and evening.
“The biggest risk for severe thunderstorms would be further southeast of the city, but we can’t rule out a severe thunderstorm for late this afternoon and early this evening.”
EC encourages people to keep an eye out for severe thunderstorm warnings throughout Friday and take shelter and precautions as needed.