Thursday, June 9, 2022, 20:55 – A major storm system will threaten parts of the prairies next week with widespread soaking rain for areas that could desperately use moisture.
They have been active on the prairies for a couple of days, as several rounds of storms have hit the region. However, the weather this week pales in comparison to what lies ahead. A major storm system looking at the western prairies could cause widespread heavy rains next week, especially in areas with extreme drought. Learn more about what to expect below.
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THIS WEEKEND: POSSIBLE STORMS IN THE THREE PROVINCES
The Prades have an active weekend before the main event arrives next week. A low-pressure system moving across the region will carry a widespread risk of storms in all three provinces this weekend.
The risk of more widespread storms will fall on Saturday afternoon, as the downturn brings a lot of instability and rise in the region. Storms shouldn’t bring hail as we’ve seen this week, but beware of lightning and heavy rain if you’re in the area.
We’ll see a renewed chance of storms on Sunday, and then we’ll have to start looking at the next major storm system that will arrive early next week.
MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY: MAIN SYSTEM APPROACHES WEST
We are in a pretty bad drought on the western prairies.
The latest Canadian Drought Monitor update, released on May 31, shows almost the entire southern half of Alberta struggling with severe or extreme drought. This severe drought is also spreading to parts of southern Saskatchewan.
Fortunately for growers, there is a storm on the horizon that could bring beneficial rains to the areas that need it most.
A low-spiral low-lying spiral over the Gulf of Alaska has brought a long stretch of bad weather to the west coast in recent days. This stubborn pattern will give rise to a tilt over the Pacific Northwest this weekend before rising northward into the western prairies.
This trough will generate a low pressure system as it ascends the Rocky Mountains, causing several days of rain in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The low pressure system may not move anywhere in a hurry, leading to several days of rain in the affected areas.
Rainfall is likely to begin in Alberta on Monday and last until Tuesday. Rainfall will last even longer in Saskatchewan, with rainfall extending later Monday and lasting through Wednesday.