Busy Week Ahead

The next 7 days will be very busy for storms on the northern plains and Canadian Prairies. Alberta and Montana will see action on Monday, Saskatchewan on Tuesday and Manitoba/North Dakota on Wednesday. Conditions conducive to the formation of severe thunderstorms increase dramatically on Saturday as southern Saskatchewan and North Dakota could see the first major outbreak of the year for this region. Stay tuned to forecasts and heed all warnings. The 2012 storm season is now officially under way here as the southern plains start to calm. April to May is the busy time for storm in the southern plains while from June to August, the focus shifts north into states such as Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Also of note, the full moon has just reached its peak and statistics show that most catastrophes occur in the following 4 or 5 days after the full moon as its gravitational pull weakens and drops ocean tides. In other words, what goes up, must come down.

As always, stay safe and respect the weather.

Manitoba Today

Watches and warnings have been posted by Environment Canada for areas of south and central Manitoba this afternoon. Strong thunderstorm cells have popped up in a line from the lake country down to the city of Winnipeg. These storms have started out very discrete but pack a big punch.

Marginally Severe Thunderstorms Possible

Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued east of Calgary, Alberta in the Brooks, Strathmore region. This storm is heading east at 35km/hr and has potential to produce damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall and large hail. Also, severe thunderstorm watches have been issued in Montana along the Saskatchewan, Alberta borders. Storms are not expected to be especially strong but please pay attention to updated warnings from Environment Canada. More storms could develop into the evening crossing into south western Saskatchewan.

Yesterday's Tornado Video/No Storms Today

Here is some incredible footage from @reedtimmerTVN of the storm at the Montana/Saskatchewan border yesterday. They drove D2 right into the tornado!



Today's forecast is saying it will be a cool wet day in most areas with a sudden snap back to unusually cold temperatures on Thursday. No storms possible on the Canadian Prairies.

Tornado Risk Today - North Dakota/Manitoba

As cool heavy rain dumps on the city of Regina, temperatures are reaching the 90s F in South Dakota. In between, the atmosphere is destabilising and the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma is giving a 2% to 5% chance of tornadoes in central North Dakota all the way up to the Manitoba border. Storms are not likely to cross into Canada unless conditions change but today's Canadian Prairie Storms Map has been updated to reflect the possible danger area.