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The same system that caused a stormy Canada Day to some people on the prairies will continue to move east over the weekend. A new chance of storms will cover the southern prairies as we head to our Saturday, with chances of severe storms for some. Learn more about the calendar and what to expect next week, below.
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SATURDAY: SERIOUS RISK FOR PORTIONS OF ALBERTA AND SASKATCHEWAN
The unstable air flowing over the southern prairies will cause the possibility of storms in much of the region during the day on Saturday. While storms are possible from southern Rocky Mountains to Manitoba, the greatest severe weather threat will cover parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
There could be enough instability for storms to reach severe limits in the foothills of Alberta, including the Calgary metropolitan area. The dynamic is also conducive for strong storms to come out in southern Saskatchewan, including the Regina area.
Saturday’s strongest storms could produce heavy hail, strong winds and heavy rain.
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This stormy pattern is the result of a top-level blocking pattern that has fitted into western Canada. This atmospheric block is not only responsible for the storms that hit the Prades this long weekend, but it is also the reason why we have avoided the extreme heat lately.
Rainfall totals over the next five days will reach about 10-30 mm in the southern half of the prairies, with more intense totals likely in the foothills of Alberta. Some areas could see more than 50mm of rain until Wednesday.
Temperatures on Saturday will reach around the season in much of the southern prairies, with temperatures slightly colder than the seasonal ones facing Sunday.
Next week the warmer weather in the region will start to rise again as the blockage pattern breaks. We will see a stretch of days with high temperatures between medium and high 20 degrees, with the potential for temperatures at 30 degrees low in the southern regions. Extreme heat is expected to remain south of the border during this first full week of July.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest news on prairie storm risk.
Miniature credit: Kyle Brittain, The Weather Network