Unusually strong mid-spring storm targets the Prairies this week
Calm conditions and comfortable air will persist on the Prairies for the remainder of this weekend. Take advantage of it while it lasts.
A hefty storm will arrive on Monday with widespread heavy rain and gusty winds. Foul conditions will last for several days as the storm moves through the area, especially on the southern Prairies.
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This storm’s minimum pressure could fall far enough that it sets records as the strongest storm ever recorded in this part of North America during the month of May.
Potent storm begins on Monday
An upper-level low swinging down the West Coast this weekend will make a turn toward the Prairies just in time for the new work week.
This pattern will give rise to a formidable centre of low pressure that’ll strengthen as it approaches the southern Prairies.
The low will form, strengthen, and then park itself over a vast area that stretches across Montana, North Dakota, and Saskatchewan through early Wednesday.
If the system’s minimum pressure drops below 980 millibars, it would likely swirl into the records as the strongest May storm observed in this part of North America.
It’s this strength that’ll power multiple days of heavy rain and gusty winds throughout the region.
Heaviest rain arrives Tuesday, lingers into Wednesday
We’ll see scattered rain push into southern portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan on Monday morning, with persistent rain covering the region by the evening hours.
Rain will start pushing into southern Manitoba through the overnight hours Monday into early Tuesday.
Widespread soaking rains will blanket the southern half of the Prairies through the day Tuesday, with the event’s heaviest rainfall rates affecting portions of eastern Alberta and western Saskatchewan.
Persistent heavy rainfall could lead to flooding issues in vulnerable areas. Remember, never try to drive across a flooded roadway. It’s impossible to tell how deep the water is until it’s too late.
Wind gusts of 50-70 km/h could accompany the heavy rainfall at times. The combination of gusty winds and rain-soaked soil could lead to isolated power outages.
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Rain will continue into Wednesday as the system finally wraps up its tour of the southern Prairies. Folks across southern Manitoba will see precipitation taper to scattered showers by Wednesday morning, with the rain finally easing for Alberta and Saskatchewan into Wednesday night.
All told, widespread rainfall totals of 30-50 mm are in the forecast throughout the southern half of the Prairies. Locally higher totals of 50-75+ mm are possible in southeastern Alberta.
Stay with The Weather Network for your latest forecast across the Prairies.