Winds ramp up on Wednesday on the Prairies as unusual, soaking rains linger

Windy, chilly and wet weather kicked off this first week of June across the Prairies, thanks to a large, low-pressure system that has been bringing days of rain, thunderstorm threats, and come Wednesday, blustery winds.

The steady rain is certainly welcome even after a soggy May, continuing to quell the wildfire threat and some of the dry conditions still ongoing in parts of the region. Locally, some areas could see up to 100 mm of rainfall through Wednesday.

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In fact, a rare, all-time rainfall record in Churchill, Man., is likely to fall as a result of the amounts expected.

In addition to the rainfall, Wednesday will also be blustery for many areas, with gusts expected to reach as high as 70-90 km/h. Isolated power outages are likely across southern Saskatchewan as a strong jet stream arcs across the province.

Wednesday: Steady rain continues as gusty winds become an issue

Duelling weather features are taking centre stage across the Prairies.

Even though the region has been stricken with thunderstorm threats and even a tornado this week, with one confirmed at least, the bigger story has been the heavy rainfall on the central Prairies.

While locally close to 100 mm of rainfall falls this week across northern Manitoba, not a drop of rain is forecast across southern Alberta.

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Highly unusual rainfall totals will spread across Churchill, Man., with a likelihood of a rare, all-time record being set as a result of the forecast that calls for 50-60 mm through Wednesday.

The previous rainiest day in June for the community is only 36.4 mm of rainfall, recorded on June 23, 1982. Its wettest day on record occurred on Sept. 3, 1983 with 62.3 mm observed.

Localized flooding is a concern for the region due to the amount of rainfall.

On Wednesday, winds will peak and become a concern across southern areas of the Prairies, especially in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Potential gusts in the 70-90 km/h range are forecast. As a result, isolated power outages are likely across southern Saskatchewan as a strong jet stream arcs across the province.

Southern Alberta should be mainly dry and the stretch of dry weather will continue into the weekend and beyond.

Most of the Prairies have seen wetter-than-normal conditions over the past month. This rainfall will serve to pad the totals, bringing good news for wildfire prevention and the agricultural growing season.

A drier and somewhat warmer pattern is expected this weekend and most of next week, but a low-pressure system and some more wet weather is possible early next week for the southern Prairies.

Check back for all the latest on your forecast across the Prairies.

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