Heat bringing thunderstorms, potential for golf-ball size hail

According to Environment Canada, the bottom half of the province could experience severe thunderstorms with hail and lots of precipitation throughout Friday afternoon and evening.  

“There are currently some severe thunderstorms occurring in the Interlake and a pretty strong thunderstorm moving toward the Dauphin area,” says Stephen Berg, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. “There is a lot of instability in the atmosphere at the moment.”

The high Friday afternoon is 32 degrees Celsius with a humidex of 40. That humidity and heat are causing the atmosphere to change and cause thunderstorms. 

“The main hazard will be very strong wind gusts (up to 120 km/h), quite large hail, up to a golf ball size, and heavy localized rain with these storms.”

While western Manitoba is currently under watch, Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Winkler, Gimli and the Steinbach area are also at risk for these thunderstorms. The storms could lessen in severity as they move along. 

“The heat should abate after this system leaves the province after tonight. Tomorrow’s high is 26 and Sunday, 27. Things look like they’ll be less intense after today.”