Residents of Brandon, Manitoba, should prepare for a significant change in the weather this week as temperatures are expected to climb from near-freezing conditions to well above seasonal averages by Wednesday.
According to Environment Canada, the region is currently facing a cold and blustery start. Friday morning features wind chills reaching as low as -18 C, with a 30 percent chance of flurries expected throughout the day and into the evening. Those heading out on Saturday morning should also prepare for wind chills near -19 C.
Following this chilly stretch, a major warm-up is on the way. Forecasters are predicting a 26-degree temperature swing, with the high reaching 23 C by Wednesday, April 22. This will be a notable jump from the high of -3 C recorded this Friday and will place temperatures 11 degrees above the typical seasonal high of 12 C for late April.
This oscillation between cold and warm follows a period of persistent winter weather across the Prairies. March temperatures remained 2 to 3 degrees below average, and frequent storm systems known as Alberta clippers have moved through the region about every seven days for the past month, as noted by weather analyst Daniel Bezte.
The upcoming warm spell will be brief, however. Cooler, showery conditions are expected to return on Thursday, April 23, with a forecast high of 11 C and rain. As the spring melt continues, the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization continues to monitor flood risks in parts of the province that have seen higher than normal levels of snowpack.
