Prairies face another day of severe storm potential, with soaking rains on deck
Multiple chances of severe thunderstorms will take aim at the Prairie provinces this week, with the next potential happening on Wednesday. Large hail and strong winds will be the main impacts with storms that develop.
It will be quite the active week on the Prairies as a favourable pattern for severe weather and heavy rainfall engulfs the region.
Wednesday will see the severe storm risk encompass a large swath across Western Canada, stretching from northeastern B.C. to southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. The main concern will be large hail, mainly for the Alberta foothills and areas east--from Regina, Sask., to Winnipeg, Man.
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Following the threat on Wednesday, heavy rain and much cooler, spring-like conditions will then follow the storm threat later this week, with some areas set to sit 5-10°C below seasonal as summer officially begins. Between 50-100 mm of rain could fall in some of the harder-hit regions this weekend, as well.
Pay close attention to watches and warnings in your area as severe thunderstorms could bubble up on Wednesday.
Large hail: Severe thunderstorm threat covers parts of the Prairies on Wednesday
By Wednesday, a cold front pushing south from the Arctic will confine the storm activity to the southern regions of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Strong to severe storms are likely to develop along this cold front, stretching from Calgary, Alta., to Winnipeg, Man.
Hail will be a concern again along the foothills in Alberta, with the added threat of strong wind gusts, especially for the storms east of the province--from Regina, Sask., to Winnipeg, Man.
Heavy rain is not expected to be a major concern due to limited moisture. However, slow-moving storms near the northern foothills could produce localized heavier rainfall.
Heavy rain and very cool temperatures kick off summer this weekend
Focus will shift from the storms to the incoming cooler conditions this weekend, with temperatures during the first few days of summer forecast to be 5-10°C below seasonal averages. This cool and unsettled weather pattern is then set to dominate the latter half of June.
Significant rainfall is also forecast for much of the agricultural regions this weekend, particularly in southern and central Alberta and Saskatchewan, where totals could reach 40-80+ mm, and 20-40+ mm closer to the U.S. border.
Southern Manitoba is also expected to receive substantial rainfall, with 20-40+ mm likely.
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Rain will begin across Alberta on Friday afternoon and evening, as a low-pressure system forms over Montana. This system will gradually bring rain and thunderstorms eastward across the Prairies throughout the weekend.
Summer snow?
In addition, snowfall is expected at higher elevations in the central and southern Rockies by Saturday, primarily above 2,000 metres. Some high-elevation hiking trails could see significant snow accumulation.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.