After a punishing stretch of heat and humidity, residents in Beausejour, Manitoba and the R.M. of Brokenhead are getting a break today as a cold front sweeps through the region. No heat warnings are in effect as of Monday morning, with current conditions far below the recent extremes that saw humidex values climb into the mid-40s.
The week-long heat wave, which settled over southern Manitoba in early July, brought dangerous conditions to the area. Environment Canada had issued orange-level heat warnings for the Beausejour-Brokenhead area, with humidex readings making it feel like 45 to 48 degrees at the peak. The extreme weather prompted Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care to issue a provincial heat advisory on July 10, raising concerns for older adults, people with chronic conditions, and those living alone.
Monday’s forecast signals the change. Clouds will increase through the day with a 60 percent chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms, as winds shift and gust to 60 km/h. The high is expected to reach 26 degrees, with a humidex of 32 — well down from the heat warning threshold of 38 that requires two straight days of scorching conditions. Clearing is expected tonight with a low of 13 degrees.
By Tuesday, Beausejour will see a return to more typical July weather. Sunny skies are on tap with a high of 24 degrees and a humidex of only 27, bringing relief after days of oppressive heat. The cooler air arrives courtesy of a cold front sweeping through the region today — a sharp contrast to the record-breaking highs over the weekend of July 12-13, when Winnipeg hit 35.3 degrees and communities across the province set new temperature records.
Residents are still urged to take it easy during the transition. “Stay hydrated and check on neighbours who might be more vulnerable,” is the message from health officials, though the worst is now behind Beausejour as seasonal temperatures settle in for the rest of the week.
