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The same system that brought a stormy Canada Day to some people on the prairies will continue to move east through the weekend. A renewed chance for thunderstorms will blanket the southern prairies as we enter our Saturday, with a chance for severe storms for some. More on the weather and what to expect in the coming week below.
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SATURDAY: SEVERE RISK FOR PARTS OF ALBERTA AND SASKATCHEWAN
Unstable air moving over the southern prairies will bring a chance for thunderstorms across much of the region during the day on Saturday. Although thunderstorms are possible from the southern Rockies into Manitoba, the biggest threat of severe weather will affect parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
There may be enough instability for thunderstorms to reach severe limits in the foothills of Alberta, including the Calgary metro area. Dynamics are also favorable for strong thunderstorms to develop over southern Saskatchewan, including the Regina area.
The strongest thunderstorms on Saturday could bring large hail, strong winds and heavy rainfall.
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This storm pattern is the result of an upper-level blocking pattern that has wedged itself over western Canada. Not only is this atmospheric block responsible for the storms raging across the prairies this long weekend, but it’s also the reason we’ve been avoiding extreme heat lately.
Precipitation totals over the next five days will reach about 10-30mm across the southern half of the Prairies, with higher amounts likely in the Alberta foothills. Some areas could see over 50mm of rain by Wednesday.
Temperatures on Saturday will be right around seasonal for much of the southern prairies, with temperatures slightly below seasonal by Sunday.
Weather in the region will begin to warm again next week as the blocking pattern breaks down. We’ll see a string of days with high temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, with the potential for temperatures in the low 30s in southern regions. Extreme heat should remain south of the border during this first full week of July.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest information on storm risk across the prairies.
Thumbnail Credit: Kyle Brittain, The Weather Network
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