The end of summer is officially here, as Thursday marks the beginning of autumn. While you may not need to take out your jackets and toques just yet, an Environment Canada meteorologist says you may want to keep your umbrella handy. Dan Kulak says this week we're looking at relatively average temperatures, with highs around 17 degrees, and lows dipping to about five. However, he notes we're going to see some precipitation coming over the weekend, starting a trend that could be expected for the next several months.

"Later in the week we're looking at a wetter pattern. Certainly, temperatures will be a few degrees warmer, some periods of rain for Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Beyond that, in the long range forecast for the fall, we're expecting a general trend for October, November, and even into December at this point in time to be milder than normal, with the possibility of more than normal precipitation."

While snow in southern Manitoba's inevitable, we're not going to be seeing the white stuff just yet. Kulak says some areas of the prairies have already seen some snow, but it's been isolated to the mountains and foothills of west-central Alberta. He says those in the region should simply enjoy the outdoors while they can, noting we could see a change in the weather in a little over a month.

"Enjoy the fall or late summer weather, depending on your perspective, as we move into the fall season here. There could be some warm days out there, those are certain to be a welcome change from what might be to come in a few months from now. Enjoy what we have, and be prepared for a change in the weather within the next six weeks."

Kulak notes weather in the area can be unpredictable, so it's always important to keep up to date on the weather forecast in the event of quickly changing conditions.