An upper-level low crossing the province Tuesday drenched some regions over the course of the day, with several rounds of thunderstorms and shower activity.

“It all started in the early morning hours of Tuesday when the leading edge of that system started slicing into the warm, humid air-mass in place over Southern Manitoba,” explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. “That trough of low pressure prompted several Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings before daybreak yesterday. The active start to the day was followed by a lull later in the morning and into the early afternoon until the cold front arrived, and another round of substantial rainfall arrived.”

Due to the training nature of some of these storms, when individual storm cells or areas of rain travel over the same place again and again, some staggering totals are being reported in parts of the Interlake and Central Plains. Most of the rain in Portage la Prairie fell between 5 am and 7 am.

According to the Manitoba Ag Weather Network and Environment Canada, Teulon received about 117mm (a little over 4.5 inches) with Arborg seeing 99mm (almost 4 inches). In Southeastern Manitoba Marchand totaled 106mm (around 4.2 inches). Environment Canada collected one report of 168mm (6.7 inches) north of Teulon.

“Those appear to be the highest totals we’re hearing, with numerous spots pushing 50mm or more,” added Sumner.

The following totals are for July 19th and are courtesy local rainwatchers, Environment Canada and the Manitoba Ag Weather Network.

Teulon - 114.3mm
Marchand - 106.7mm (about 4.2 inches)
Arborg - 99.6mm
Steinbach - 74.5mm (a little less than 3 inches)
Portage la Prairie - 73.7mm to 81.3mm
St. Pierre - 67.7mm
Gretna - 65.1mm
Holland - 64.8mm
Gardenton - 61.7mm
Deloraine – 53.3mm
Glenboro – 50.1mm (just above 2 inches)
Woodmore - 50mm (2 inches)
Dominion City - 46.6mm
Manitou/Morris - 43.2mm
Winkler - 40.6mm
Boissevain – 38.7mm
Somerset - 38.6mm
Souris – 38.3mm
Altona (rural) - 34.7mm
Somerset - 34.0mm
North of Horndean - 32.5mm (1.3 inches)
Wawanesa – 30.2mm (about 1.2 inches)
Morden - 26.4mm
Kane - 25.8mm (just over 1 inch)
Cartwright - 22.9 (just over 9/10)
Carman - 21.4mm
Sprague - 19.9 (almost 8/10th)
Pilot Mound - 18.8mm
25mm = 1 inch

Meanwhile, those intense thunderstorms also produced very strong peak wind gusts in some locations. The following 24 hour peak wind gusts for July 19th in kilometres per hour (km/h) are courtesy Environment Canada:

Baldur - 117 
Cartwright - 115 
Ninette - 109 
Holland - 104 
Windygates - 102 
Cypress River - 98 
Starbuck - 96 
Treherne - 93 
Manitou - 91 
Portage - 76

After a stormy start to the week, quieter conditions are on the way for the remainder.

“We’re looking at a seasonal day Wednesday, with highs between 25 and 27 and the humidity much less than it’s been the last several days, but still a little muggy,” said Sumner. “As high pressure builds into the region, sunshine returns today through Friday, with highs around average for this time of year, between 26 and 28, and it feeling a little sticky at times.”

Sumner noted the next disturbance expected to move through the region is Friday evening, which could bring another round of showers, or possibly a thunderstorm. The totals are not expected to be near as high though and the system could miss us completely.

“After that low pressure system moves through, a northerly flow is expected to develop, and that will drop temperatures a few degrees below average for Saturday, between 22 and 24,” he said. “That won’t last long, though, with daytime highs expected to rebound Sunday and Monday.”

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