Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for Portage la Prairie and area.

Warm, humid weather will be gracing the prairies for the next few days.

Meteorologist Alysa Pederson tells us what mandates a heat warning.

"Heat criteria from the Portage area, or pretty much from the northern part of the lakes, all the way down to the border. Heat warnings occur when your temperature maximum for the day is forecast to be 23 degrees or higher for two consecutive days or more with overnight or nighttime lows greater than or equal to 16 degrees."

The temperature yesterday hit 32.5°C with a low of 19.5°C. Today (Wednesday) was expected to be 33°C.

Pederson says hot weather comes with the risk of severe weather.

"If some thunderstorms do form in Southeastern Saskatchewan there's a chance of them to move across (into Manitoba.) The chance is pretty low, and it would be late this evening and late tonight if it did move through Southern Manitoba. There's a similar chance again tomorrow. The heat is sticking around, and that makes it harder for thunderstorms to form."

Pederson stresses that when there's a heat warning, you should be aware of how your body is feeling.

"Heatstroke and those kinds of illnesses can creep up if you do spend too much time outside in the hottest hours of the day. If you can, some of the recommendations are to reschedule activities, so they're not in the peak hot hours of the day. Schedule them for later in the evening or morning hours. You should also drink lots of cool liquid, dress for the weather, and cover-up from the sun."