Home / Weather / Prairie Storms Brew: Wildfire Smoke a Wild Card
Prairie Storms Brew: Wildfire Smoke a Wild Card
26 Jul
Summary
- Severe thunderstorms are forecast for Saskatchewan and Manitoba on Sunday.
- Wildfire smoke may impact storm development and severity.
- Large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain are potential threats.
Renewed severe thunderstorm activity is possible across the Prairies on Sunday, following Saturday's severe weather in Alberta. The focus of the storm threat is now shifting to Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
In these provinces, heat and humidity are fueling an unstable atmosphere. A low-pressure system and frontal boundary are expected to trigger thunderstorms late Sunday afternoon and evening, particularly in east-central Saskatchewan and western/southern Manitoba. These storms could produce large hail, damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and isolated tornadoes.
A significant factor this weekend is the potential impact of wildfire smoke. Smoke can suppress storm development, acting as a wild card for the severity of any storms that do form. If storms manage to develop, the atmosphere is supportive of organized severe weather. Alberta is expected to have a quieter day with only scattered, weaker thunderstorms possible.
Hot conditions will persist through next week, with temperatures gradually trending closer to seasonal averages by early August.
