A number of severe thunderstorm warnings and watches, as well as heat warnings, are in place for southern Manitoba Wednesday morning.

City of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg is currently under a severe thunderstorm watch. 

Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain. Environment Canada says this watch may be upgraded to a tornado watch later this afternoon as conditions continue to evolve.

Severe thunderstorms are possible early this morning as a low-pressure system tracks into the region from the United States.

Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Winnipeg is also under a heat warning. A hot and humid airmass will be in place over parts of southern Manitoba until Wednesday night.

Daytime highs of 32 C and overnight lows around 20 C have led to the issuance of this heat warning in accordance with the criteria set by Manitoba Health. A cold front will flush out the humid air Wednesday night.

Extreme heat affects everyone.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses and people working or exercising outdoors.

Watch for the effects of heat illness: swelling, rash, cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and the worsening of some health conditions.

Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

As of 6:32 p.m, Environment Canada is watching a cold front moving eastwards. There is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for parts of southern Manitoba including the City of Winnipeg, Winkler, and Steinbach.

This storm may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and torrential rain, as well as the capability of being upgraded to a tornado watch.

Severe thunderstorm warnings

At 4:25 a.m. CDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a dangerous thunderstorm capable of producing damaging wind gusts, pea to dime size hail and heavy rain.

At 4:25 AM CDT, a line of severe thunderstorms was located from Neepawa to Sanford and moving north at 70 km/h. Thunderstorms along this line will be capable of producing wind gusts of 90 to 120 km/h.

Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.

Several other areas are currently under the severe thunderstorm warnings.

That includes Gimli and Selkirk. 

Severe thunderstorm watches

Many other areas are currently under a severe thunderstorm watch. See the map below for the latest watches and warnings.