The sluggish start to July continues on Friday with showers crossing southern Manitoba, including Winnipeg. Yet another five mm of rain is forecast Friday afternoon for Dauphin and Swan River in the Parkland region, an area of the province already hard hit with flooding and washed-out roads and highways. There is also the risk of thunderstorms across the south on Friday. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said training thunderstorms—storms that quickly follow each other over the same area—could be a concern, adding they could result in localized accumulations of 20-50 mm in parts of southwestern Manitoba and the Red River Valley. Temperatures across the south will remain below normal in the low 20s. Humidex values will feel in the upper 20s. The skies are brighter and temperatures slightly warmer in northwestern Ontario on Friday. There is also the risk of thunderstorms across the region. Meanwhile, some of the highest temperatures will be in northern Manitoba Friday afternoon. Thompson and Tadoule Lake are both forecast to reach 26 C, with many other northern communities not far behind. Most northern regions will also see sunshine or a mix of sun and cloud. However, wildfire smoke has triggered a yellow warning for air quality for the Lynn Lake, Brochet, Leak Rapids, Pukatawagan and Tadoule Lake regions. Ahead of this first weekend of July, ECCC said the risk of severe thunderstorms will shift into eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. Summertime temperatures will return to the south this weekend, along with increasing humidity. Temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 20s Saturday, before climbing into the low 30s Sunday. Sunshine will also return.
