Severe thunderstorms possible in parts of province as heat presses on

Some severe weather was brewing late Saturday in parts of the province and aheat warning remains in effect for most of southern Manitoba, including the city of Winnipeg, as humidex values are expected to reach a high of 38.

SaraHoffman, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the"hot, hot temperatures" are expected to continuewell into the upcoming week.

"We're expecting a stagnant blocking pattern to sitover Manitoba and bring warm, moist air up from the south and persist for quite a long time," she said.

Southerly winds will push hot, humid weather into the province Saturday, with daytime highs climbing into the low 30s and overnight lows rising into the upper teens or low 20s, Environment Canada said in a statement.

The heat is expected to be compounded by humid conditions next week which will increase humidex values into the upper 30s, though the hot weather will begin to break through the second half of next week.

On Sunday, there could be some reprieve as southwestern Manitoba gets a strong cold front, producing a sharp temperature change from highs in the low 30s(to its east) to highs in the mid-20s (to its west). There's a chance that cold front will slide east of Brandon and the Turtle Mountains, which could give those areas some relief from the heat.

For most regions in the heat warning area, daytime highs may dip a few degrees on Monday into the upper 20s, but will climb back into the low 30s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Overnight lows aren't expected to be impacted.

The following regions are included in the heat warning:

• Arborg,Hecla, Fisher River,GypsumvilleandAshern.
• Berens River,Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein andAtikaki.
• Bissett, Victoria Beach,Nopiming ProvincialPark and Pine Falls.
• Brandon,Neepawa, Carberry andTreherne.
• City of Winnipeg.
• Dugald,BeausejourandGrand Beach.
• Island Lake,Oxford House andGods Lake.
• Killarney, Pilot Mound andManitou.
• Morden, Winkler,AltonaandMorris.
• Poplar River.
• Portage la Prairie,Headingley,BrunkildandCarman.
• Selkirk,Gimli, Stonewall andWoodlands.
• Sprague andNorthwest Angle Provincial Forest.
• Ste. Rose,McCreary,AlonsaandGladstone.
• Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Emerson, Vita andRicher.
• Whiteshell, Lac du Bonnet andPinawa.

Severe thunderstorms brewing in some parts

Hoffmanalso cautioned of thepossibility for severe thunderstorms to develop late Saturday and overnight Sunday.

As of 9:24 p.m., a severe thunderstorm watch wasin place for southwestern areas in Manitoba along the provincial border, and could continue to shift like this for the coming days.

In those areas, conditions were favourable for the development of storms that could produce strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,Environment Canada said in a weather alert.

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for these regions:

• City of Brandon.
• Municipalityof Glenboro-South Cypress, includingTreesbank.
• Municipalityof Norfolk Treherne.
• Municipalityof North Cypress-Langford, includingNeepawa and Carberry.
• Municipalityof North Norfolk, includingMacGregor, Sidney and Austin.
• Municipalityof Oakland-Wawanesa, including Carroll.
• RMof Cornwallis, west of Shilo, includingChater.
• RMof Elton, includingForrest.
• RMof Victoria, includingHolland and Cypress River.
• Jackhead Reserve.
• Moose Creek ProvincialForest Pine Dock and Matheson Island.
• Municipalityof Bifrost-Riverton, includingArborg,Hnausa and Hecla.
• PeguisFirst Nationand Fisher River First Nation.
• RMof Fisher, includingPoplarfield.
• RMof Grahamdale, includingGypsumville,Moosehorn and Camper.
• RMof West Interlake, includingEriksdale and Ashern.
• Cartwright-Roblin Mun. incl. Mather
• Municipalityof Killarney-Turtle Mountain.
• Municipalityof Lorne, includingNotre Dame and Swan Lake.
• Municipalityof Louise, includingPilot Mound and Crystal City.
• Municipalityof Pembina, includingManitou, La Rivire and Snowflake.
• RMof Argyle, includingBaldur,Glenora and Greenway.
• RMof Prairie Lakes, includingMargaret,Ninette and Belmont.
• Cross Lake and Jenpeg.
• Highway 6 between Little Limestone Lake and Ponton.
• Molson Lake and Bear Lake.
• Norway House.
• Wabowden.
• Municipalityof Glenella-Lansdowne, includingArden and Tenby.
• Municipalityof McCreary, includingNorgate.
• Municipalityof Ste. Rose, including Laurier.
• Municipalityof WestLake-Gladstone, includingPlumas and Langruth.
• RMof Alonsa, includingEbb and Flow First Nationand Sandy Bay First Nation.

Staying safe in the heat

Risks of heat are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults and people who have chronic illnesses or who are working or exercising outside, Environment Canada said.

"Certainly keep in mind that strenuous activity should be limited during the peak heat hours," she said. If people go toindoor public spaces to cool off, she said they need to remember to follow health orders.

"Social distancing is important at all places, public indoors and also outdoors," she said.

It's important to drink plenty of water, even before you feel thirsty, and stay in a cool place when outside. Check on older family, friends and neighbours, and make sure they are cool and drinking water, the weather service said. Keep your home cool if you can, and block the sun by closing curtains or blinds.

Seek a cool place, such as a tree-shaded area, swimming pool, shower or bath, or an air-conditioned spot like a public building. Watch for symptoms of heat-related illness, including dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing or heartbeat, extreme thirst and decreased urination with unusually dark urine.