The Prairies will see plenty of rain and gusty winds from vigorous storm

The Prairies are in for quite a week, in contrast to the calmer weekend they just had.

Some much-needed rain will be forthcoming, but will be accompanied by blustery winds as as a result of developing storm that will intensify to the point of near-record low pressure for May, at the very least.

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Residents can expect multiple days of rain and wind, lasting through mid-week. It is likely that the gusty winds and rain-soaked soil will lead to isolated power outages.

Monday sees the start of formidable storm

An upper-level low that swung down the West Coast this weekend made a turn toward the Prairies just in time for the new work week.

The pattern will give rise to a formidable centre of low pressure that will strengthen as it approaches the southern Prairies.

The low will strengthen and then park itself over a vast area that stretches across Montana, North Dakota and Saskatchewan through early Wednesday.

The system is expected to have its minimum pressure drop to nearly 980 millibars. If it manages to reach or dip below that figure, it would 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.

Fortunately, for farmers, the heaviest rain will fall in the western grasslands –– avoiding a tough situation as we approach planting season for farmlands east of Regina, Sask.

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.

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