Manitoba kicked off October with unusually warm weather as 10 communities hit new temperature records. CTV
Manitobans experienced an unusually hot start to October as several communities shattered long-standing temperature records this week. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), 10 locations across the province reached record highs on Wednesday, with some towns seeing temperatures not felt in decades.
Churchill Leads the Heatwave
The northern community of Churchill saw the most dramatic jump. Temperatures climbed to 24.2°C, far surpassing its previous record of 18.6°C set in 1977. Meteorologists called the difference significant, marking an extraordinary event for the usually cooler region.
Churchill wasn’t alone in feeling the heat. The weather agency confirmed that the unusually warm air stretched across much of northern Manitoba, bringing temperatures that felt more like mid-summer than early fall.
Records Fall Across the North
In Berens River, the heat broke a record that had stood for more than a century. The community hit 24.7°C, topping its 1912 record of 22.2°C. Other northern towns such as Flin Flon, Gillam, Norway House, Thompson, Grand Rapids, and The Pas also set new highs.
Lynn Lake matched its previous record of 22.8°C, which was last recorded in 2021. Weather officials noted that several of these communities usually experience daytime highs below 15°C at this time of year.
Southern Manitoba Also Warms Up
Further south, Gimli recorded a high of 25.7°C, beating its previous record of 21.2°C set in 2015. The lakeside town enjoyed clear skies and sunshine throughout the day, drawing residents outdoors to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather.
These new records come after a stretch of mild, sunny days that began in late September and continued into the first week of October. Many Manitobans described the warmth as a welcome surprise before the arrival of colder weather.
Warm Spell to End Soon
ECCC said the province’s unusual heatwave is nearing its end. Meteorologists expect temperatures to cool down by the weekend, returning to normal October averages. Most areas can expect daytime highs closer to 10°C to 15°C, along with more seasonal conditions.
While the recent warmth has been pleasant for many, the agency reminded residents that such temperature swings are typical during the change of seasons. Cold air from the Arctic and warm southern systems often meet over the Prairies, creating sharp contrasts in temperature.
A Memorable Start to Fall
For now, Manitobans are holding onto what may be the last stretch of warm weather before winter takes hold. With several heat records broken across both northern and southern regions, this October’s opening week will likely go down as one of the warmest in the province’s history.
