Lethbridge residents can expect a warm start to the week before a cold front brings a chance of thunderstorms and cooler temperatures by mid-week, according to Environment Canada. After a sunny Sunday that reached 23°C, Monday will see highs near 27°C before conditions shift on Tuesday.
Monday, June 15, started mostly cloudy with a temperature of 22°C at Lethbridge Airport, but skies are expected to clear by morning. The overnight low tonight will be a mild 16°C, well above any frost risk. “Tonight: Mainly cloudy. Clearing before morning. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50 becoming light late this evening. Low 16°C,” the forecast says. The normal high for this time of year is 23°C, with a low of 9°C, making the current warm spell about 4 degrees above average.
Tuesday brings a sharp change. Environment Canada is calling for a 60 percent chance of showers late in the afternoon with a risk of a thunderstorm. Winds will pick up, becoming west at 50 km/h gusting to 70 near noon, even as the high again reaches 27°C. Overnight, showers are expected with a low dropping to 8°C. The combination of gusty winds and possible thunderstorms means residents should secure outdoor items and be prepared for sudden downpours.
The cooler weather settles in for Wednesday and Thursday, with sunny skies but highs of just 20°C and 21°C respectively, and overnight lows dipping to 6-7°C. Friday will see a slight warm-up to 23°C under sunny skies. While the average last spring frost in Lethbridge is May 25, the mid-week lows are not expected to approach freezing, though gardeners with tender plants may want to take note of the cooler nights ahead.
This week’s weather is typical of Lethbridge’s chinook-influenced climate, where winds from the Rocky Mountains can cause rapid temperature swings. The city sees an average of 30 to 35 chinook days a year, contributing to its reputation as one of Canada’s windiest places. With the risk of thunderstorms on Tuesday, Environment Canada advises residents to monitor updated forecasts and stay aware of changing conditions.
