This year Manitoba is experiencing the driest first half of the year in over a century. The amount of precipitation that Manitoba has experienced this year is over 60% less than our normal amounts.
Now Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the City of Winnipeg, and much of southern Manitoba.
As per Environment Canada:
Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail, and torrential rain.
A cold front tracking eastward across southern Manitoba is expected to trigger thunderstorms as it moves across the region. Some of these thunderstorms may become severe giving large hail, torrential downpours, and strong winds. This watch may be extended to portions of southeastern Manitoba later this evening.
Very large hail can damage property, break windows, dent vehicles and cause serious injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!