Katherine Dow’s forecast: A smoky, sunny day sets the stage for a picturesque weekend

Katherine Dow has your current conditions and updated weather forecast for May 23, 2025.

Mother Nature is queuing up a repeat performance of sorts with Friday’s forecast, but some areas will contend with the unwelcome addition of wildfire smoke.

The air quality statement previously issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for much of the southeast expanded Friday. It now includes areas further west, including Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie.

Smoke from a number of wildfires, most notably the Nopiming Provincial Park blaze, is expected to linger over the next few days, posing the risk of compromised air quality and reduced visibility.

ECCC noted the thickness of the smoke plume is quite evident on satellite, and smoke and air quality concerns will be the agency’s primary weather concern for the province in the days to come.

Otherwise, Manitoba is dealing with pleasant, though Groundhog Day-esque conditions. Like yesterday and the day before, most regions will bask in clear, sunny skies with temperatures in the low 20s paired with easterly winds.

Skies remain clear overnight, with smoke lingering in the southeast. Overnight lows remain unseasonably cool. Most areas will hover a few degrees above freezing, triggering the risk of frost in southern Manitoba.

Much of the province sticks with the same forecast through the weekend, though highs creep up a degree or two each day. Sunny skies, northeasterly winds and temperatures peaking in the low 20s are expected on both Saturday and Sunday.

However, next week brings a turning point in terms of temperatures.

While sunshine will persist throughout the province, the mercury rises considerably by mid-week thanks to a warm air mass, with expected highs in the upper 20s to low 30s.