Record high!

Winnipeg has hit a record 17C today.. eclipsing the former daily high of 16.3 set back in 1999. We are currently the warmest spot in the country and it's only 11am!  But a cold front will push through by the lunch hour, and temperatures will begin sliding down this afternoon, while winds will be picking up from the west, with gusts to 80 km/h or more this afternoon. Watch out for flying garbage cans! 

Marvelous Monday almost sets record

It was a beautiful Nov 12th over Southern MB, with sunshine and a balmy southwest breeze sending temperatures into the teens across the area. Today's high in Winnipeg was a balmy 12.8C, nearly beating the daily record high of 13.2C set in 1981. These temperatures were more typical of early October than mid November, which now averages around the freezing mark for "normal" highs. The lack of snow and still warm ground has made it easier for mild air to surface, and it's still hard to believe that it's really mid November out there. The grass is still green, and it just doesn't feel like winter will be here anytime soon. But don't be fooled.. this is southern Manitoba.. and things can change quickly!

Speaking of which.. there will be a change in the weather over the next few days, although the main story will be winds, not snow. A deep storm system moving across the northern Prairies will draw strong southerly winds to 60 km/h over southern MB Tuesday morning, shifting to strong westerly winds to 70 km/h or higher in the afternoon as a cold front moves through. Temperatures will once again be very mild Tuesday with highs peaking around 13C by midday.. but then watch for falling temperatures by Tuesday night as colder air moves in from the west. Strong northwest winds will continue Tuesday night through Wednesday along with temperatures near freezing. There could be some flurries Tuesday night and Wednesday, but at this point, there's still no signs of a significant snowfall over southern MB over the next week or so.

Strong winds Tuesday and Wednesday

It was a windy afternoon today in Southern MB, and after diminishing tonight, it looks like strong winds will once again develop this week.. (hey, it's the Prairies in the winter, what else is new? ;)) especially Tuesday and Wednesday. But first, we'll start the week on a nice note on Monday as mild weather continues, along with plenty of sunshine and fairly light winds (southwest 20 km/h) This should get temperatures up to the 10C mark once again... nice enough for one last golf game on any course still open. By Tuesday, a deep low pressure system tracking through the northern Prairies will bring a strong southerly flow over Southern MB, especially up the Red River valley where gusts may hit 70 km/h. Winds will gradually shift into the west by Tuesday evening as cooler air moves in, with strong northwest winds and colder temperatures for Wednesday. Lighter winds but cool conditions are expected to close off the week for Thursday and Friday.

Mild Remembrance Day

Temperatures have risen up to the 10C mark in Winnipeg as of noon today, with a few hours of sunshine and gusty west winds allowing temperatures to climb. It won't be a record breaker (14.8C in 1987 is Winnipeg's mildest Remembrance Day on record) but it will be some 10 degrees above above normal for today. The main story for this afternoon will be the gusty west winds, which will gust to 60 or 70 km/h today as cooler air and clouds spread in from the west. (Brandon currently gusting to 74 km/has of noon) As a result, look for those temperatures to gradually slide this afternoon down into the 5C range by sunset.

More snow tonight?

A warm front is forecast to move across southern MB overnight bringing a band of snow ahead of it. At this point, it appears most of the snow will once again stay mainly north of Winnipeg - much like Thursday night - with a few cm possible across the Riding Mtns through the interlake and Whiteshell areas. Winnipeg may see a few flurries overnight into Saturday morning, but accumulations should be minimal. By Saturday afternoon gusty southerly winds will usher in milder air over Winnipeg with temperatures rising to +4C. Even milder conditions are expected for Sunday with highs near +7C, however there could be a few morning showers giving way to brisk westerly winds by the afternoon.