Manitoba heat gets cranked up a notch as temperature forecast spikes
Heat warnings are in place in southern Manitoba, and the latest forecast update has temperatures soaring higher than they’ve ever been before for the first half of May in the province.
Winnipeg, Man., is expected to finally join the ever-growing 30-degree club in 2025 soon.
Daytime highs in Manitoba will jump into the upper 20s and low 30s into this week, potentially even hitting the mid-30 mark in some locales––including Winnipeg, where record-breaking heat is possible. Heat warnings are in place across southern Manitoba. The ridge on the Prairies responsible for the heat will continue until Wednesday.
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The heat, though, brings the raised risk of health-related hazards, particularly those susceptible to hot temperatures. Watch for the early signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and others. Signs may include headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, dark urine and intense fatigue. Stop your activity and drink water.
Limit time outdoors and make sure you stay hydrated. Those looking for relief at night won't get much help--overnight lows will remain in the upper teens or even low 20s.
Canada sees first heat warnings of the season
A ridge of high pressure builds throughout the weekend, ushering in a very mild, southwesterly flow across Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Heat is expected to persist until Wednesday when an upper trough flushes out the anomalous warmth.
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Remarkably warm overnight temperatures are anticipated throughout the heat event––temperatures remaining above 20°C for locations like Winnipeg.
On Monday, Winnipeg has the opportunity to reach 35°C--one of the earliest instances of hitting that value on record for the city.
The earliest occurrence of 35 degrees on record happened on May 5, 2016 (35.2°C), with the second-earliest taking place on May 8, 1874 (35°C). It’s unlikely, however, to beat Winnipeg’s all-time record for the hottest May temperature, which stands at 37.8°C on May 30, 1934.
Unusual or unprecedented? The timing of this heat wave tips this event to the unprecedented side. Airport data in Winnipeg goes back to 1938, and this will be easily the earliest consecutive days above 33°C on record.
Earliest 35°C: May 5, 2016
Earliest 36°C: May 21, 1964 and 1980
Earliest 37°C: May 22, 1980
The only May comparable heat wave is the May 21-22, 1980 event, but this affair will stand on its own being 10 days earlier.
May 21: 36.5°C
May 22: 37.0°C
Keep in mind that the average high this time of year is in the mid-to-upper teens.
Warmest May overnight low: 22.5°C on May 31, 1988, and we may hit that threshold 2.5 weeks earlier! A temperature above 20 degrees as a minimum has never been recorded during the first half of May in the history of the Winnipeg airport station.
Please make sure to stay hydrated, check on family and friends who may be more vulnerable to the heat and avoid strenuous activity outdoors.
Meanwhile, some much-needed rain is coming to the Prairies this week. Some areas will miss out while others will see excessive amounts, but overall, that is very good news for agriculture and for the wildfire danger.
A low will develop over the Dakotas and track into southern Manitoba Wednesday or Thursday with widespread rain, locally heavy, and thunderstorms.
Stay with The Weather Network for more information and updates on your weather across Manitoba.