Dangerous 90 km/h winds blow into southern Manitoba

The powerful wind had a significantimpact in Winnipeg.

Hydro wasout for more than 3,300 people in Elmwood and Transconafor several hoursthanks to the wind.

Scott Powell, Manitoba Hydro spokesperson, saidthe area affected wasbetween ReendersDrive and McLeod Avenue and from Lagimodiere Boulevard to Regent Avenue.

Kildonan Place Mall wasnot affected by the power outage.

Power was restored by afternoon.

A traffic light wasdown at Henderson Highway and Leighton Avenue.

Environment Canadaissued a warning that coveredtheRed River Valley, Pembina Valley and parts of the Interlake, wherewinds of 60 km/h wereexpected togustto 90 km/h today.

The warning was lifted in the afternoon, but winds gusting up to 70 km/h were expected to continue until evening.

Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, was possible. As well, loose objects couldbe tossed aroundand cause injury or damage, the warning said.

Reduced visibility was also a factordue toblowing dust, whipped up from the extremely dry ground.

Strong winds and the dry conditions have been blamed in recent days for fuelling grass fires, including oneWednesday on Ryan Street, near Logan Avenue.

Robert Pike, Deputy Fire Commissioner, says most of the wildfires they deal with are set by people burning crops or stubble.

"We advise nothing above 15 kilometres. So when it's hot, dry like this the wildfire itself and the crops and the stubble has been sitting and literally drying out all winter. So it is good fuel that we don't want to ignite," Pike said.

Dan Mazier, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, says most of the province is tinder dry, and it would be dangerous to do any stubble burning.

The western part of the province is slightly less dry, however Mazier says there is nogreen growth anywhere.

Keystone Agricultural Producers will be having a general meeting tomorrow in Portage la Prairie, and they will likely be talking about the dry and windy conditions.

• Fire tears through Manitoba farm, claims man's life
• Windy, dry conditions force cancellation of Manitoba burning permits

The gusts should begin to ease up later in theafternoon and then you canenjoy the gorgeous temperatures.

The high for Wednesday in the Winnipeg area is forecasted to be 24 C.

There is a 30 per cent chance of rain overnight, with winds picking up again to 50 km/h.

Thursday will be mainly cloudy with a chance of early morningshowers, then clearing late in the morning and a high of 17 C.

Friday:Sunny with a high of 12 C.

Saturday:Sunny, high 15 C.

Sunday:Periods of rain, high 10 C.

Normals for this time of year are a daytime high of11 C and overnight low of 1 C.