A Blustery Storm Ushers In Colder Conditions

One more warm day, then a blustery storm system moving through will shift Winnipeg into a cooler weather pattern.

A low pressure system moving into the province tonight will usher in a change for Winnipeg’s general weather pattern. Today will still be mild with temperatures climbing up to around -1 °C with mixed skies becoming cloudy this evening. The wind will be a little more noticeable today, picking up out of the south into the 20–30 km/h range for the afternoon and evening.

The low will arrive this evening, bringing warm air that will send temperatures up above 0 °C overnight. There will be a chance for a wintery mix overnight (snow, freezing rain, rain), but what exactly falls is highly dependent on the track of the low and how warm it ends up being. The temperature will drop below freezing to around -1 °C by Thursday morning.

RDPS Precipitation Type/Rate Forecast valid 09Z Thursday January 14, 2021
A low pressure system crossing the province will bring a wintery mix to the region on Wednesday night, followed by snow on Thursday.

Moderate northwest winds will move in on Thursday, strengthening to 30–40 km/h with gusts up to 60 km/h. Much of the region will see periods of light snow with widespread accumulations of 2–4 cm. A cold front passing through on Thursday night will reinforce the winds and bring more light snow to the region. This snow and wind will likely produce some areas of poor visibility in blowing snow on Thursday night. Temperatures will head to a low near -8 °C.

By Friday, it’s all cold air advection. Temperatures will struggle to move much from their starting point in the morning as the moderate northwest winds continue. Temperatures will only climb a degree or two above the day’s starting point for a high near -7 °C. The snow should taper off through the day, but skies will stay cloudy. The winds will ease Friday night with temperatures heading to a low near -13 °C under mostly cloudy skies.

Long Range Outlook

Cooler temperatures will persist right through next week with daytime highs generally in the -5 to -10 °C range and overnight lows dipping into the minus teens. Skies will stay on the cloudier side, and with the expected temperatures there will be a chance for some non-accumulating light snow on many days.

By the end of next week, it looks increasingly like the polar vortex will shift southwards and begin to flood central and eastern Canada with much colder polar air. This will likely mark the start of an extended period of generally below-seasonal temperatures with the potential for outbreaks of extreme cold.

Winter had to arrive at some point…enjoy the pleasant conditions while they last!

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -24 °C.

More Warm Weather Ahead

No notable changes to start the week for Winnipeg with more unseasonably mild temperatures ahead. A change in the weather will arrive for Thursday.

The Canadian Prairies will continue to see a zonal flow aloft this week, running along the northern edge of a broad upper-level ridge. This will keep the milder Pacific air coming and give Winnipeg dry, warm weather.

As a result, the city will see daytime highs of -2 to +1 °C over the coming days. Overnight lows will cool slightly over the next couple nights into the -5 to -7 °C range. On Wednesday, a low pressure system moving through the province will bring more cloud and warmth. This system will likely keep temperatures above freezing on Wednesday night.

Winds will stay light over the coming days. On Tuesday, areas along the Red River Valley’s western escarpment will see some breezy downslope winds, but they should ease to light by the central Red River Valley. On Wednesday night, the low moving across the province will strengthen winds in Winnipeg out of the south-southwest to 30 gusting 50 km/h by Thursday morning.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 21Z Tuesday January 12, 2021
Downslope winds over the western Red River Valley will push temperatures above freezing on Tuesday.

Conditions will stay fairly dry over the coming days. A passing flurry is possible on Tuesday, but the next organized chance for precipitation will be Wednesday night as the low passes. Some rain showers are possible overnight, followed by a freeze early Thursday and more snow and wind.

Long Range Outlook

Thursday looks to be an unpleasant day across the region. Snow will move through the region on Thursday into Thursday night with a total likely near 5 cm. With the snow will come strong northwest winds into the 40–50 km/h range will entrench over the region that will linger into Friday. The combination of temperature falling below freezing on Wednesday night, fresh snow, and strong winds will likely lead to poor travel conditions through Thursday.

The passage of this low will shift Winnipeg into a slightly cooler weather pattern. Temperatures will still stay above seasonal values, but will be a bit more “wintery” than seen lately. Daytime highs are forecast to fall into the -5 to -10 °C range with lows into the minus teens.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -24 °C.

Quiet, Mild Weekend Ahead

The ship will be staying the course in Winnipeg this weekend with little change to the weather.

Southern Manitoba will see quiet weather this weekend as upper ridging stays over the region into next week. This upper pattern will support a broad area of high pressure across the southern Prairies over the coming days.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 21Z Friday January 8, 2021
Little change in the weather is on on the way this weekend with mild winter temperatures persisting across the southern Prairies.

As a result, Winnipeg will see little change in the weather. The city will see highs near -1 °C and lows in the low minus single digits. Cloud will stick around today as fog in the area slowly lifts, followed by clearing skies on Saturday. Winds will be light today and tomorrow, but pick up out of the south to around 20 km/h on Sunday as the high slumps south of the province.

Long Range Outlook

Warm weather continues into the start of next week with variable cloudiness. Temperatures will begin to cool a bit through the latter half of the week, but still staying above seasonal values. No significant snow is in the forecast.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -24 °C.

Cloudy and Mild Weather Ahead

Slack winds and a building upper ridge will continue to bring mild weather to Winnipeg as cloudier conditions move in.

Winnipeg will sit on the northeastern edge of a col today, bringing quiet conditions with a light southerly wind. Skies should stay mostly cloudy today; some models want to clear skies out this afternoon, but low-level winds in Winnipeg are forecast to stay southerly through the day. With little change in the low-level winds, it seems more likely that the clouds will persist through much of the day. Temperatures will continue mild with a high near -1 °C. The southerly wind will strengthen into the 20–30 km/h range overnight as temperatures head to a low near -5 °C.

RDPS 2m Temperature Forecast valid 21Z Thursday January 7, 2021
Southern Manitoba will see near-freezing highs this week as an extended period of above-seasonal temperatures continues.

On Thursday and Friday, Winnipeg will see cloudy skies with mild weather continuing. The breezy southerly winds will continue through much of Thursday then taper off late in the day. Friday will bring a chance for some light snow to the region as a trough moves into the Red River Valley. Both days will see a high near -1 °C and lows around the -5 °C mark.

Long Range Outlook

The long-range forecast is rather astonishing for January in Winnipeg. Forecasts show little change to the broader weather pattern over the coming weeks. This means that the next 7–10 days will bring more of the same: mild temperatures and generally dry conditions.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -23 °C.