After a break from the heat and humidity on Tuesday, both are back on Wednesday across southern Manitoba. Temperatures will rise into the mid- to upper 20s with humidex values in the low 30s, in sunshine or a mix of sun and cloud, including in Winnipeg. However, smoke from wildfires is also returning to the south on Wednesday. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has expanded a yellow warning for air quality already in effect across much of northern and central Manitoba as far south as the Swan River region on Wednesday. Many of the communities under the warning are downwind of fires burning in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. But as winds shift from the northwest, ECCC said smoke from wildfires burning in northern Alberta will spread into the Westman and Interlake regions and as far as the Ontario border by the end of the day on Wednesday. Even without a warning in effect, most southern regions could be affected, including Winnipeg. By noon on Wednesday, the ECCC weather station at Brandon’s airport was reporting smoky conditions. That said, ECCC said it remains highly uncertain as smoke travels south and east if it will remain aloft as haze or come closer to the surface, where it will be more impactful.
