Prairie Skies Start Cool, But Summer’s Knocking

Thursday, May 1, 2025 – Breezy and Brighter by Afternoon

Winnipeg is stepping into May with a fresh, cool breeze and partly cloudy skies. As of 5:44 AM at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, the temperature is sitting at a brisk 2.4°C. The dew point is close behind at 1.7°C, with humidity at a moist 95%, making for a crisp early morning feel. Winds are blowing from the north-northwest at 13 km/h, and visibility is excellent at 24 km.

The barometric pressure is currently 101.2 kPa and rising, which bodes well for more stable weather as the day goes on. A mix of sun and cloud is expected today, and things will start to feel more like May when the wind shifts northeast and picks up to 30 km/h this afternoon. The high will reach a pleasant 14°C, and with a UV index of 5, it’s a moderate-risk day for sun exposure—so dig out those sunglasses and maybe even a dab of sunscreen.

Tonight: A Chilly but Clear Evening

This evening will remain partly cloudy, with winds easing up overnight after maintaining that brisk northeast clip at 30 km/h earlier. Temperatures will fall to a low of 1°C, so if you’re planning to be out late, pack an extra layer or two—Winnipeg’s spring nights still remember winter.

The Forecast Heats Up: Friday Through Monday

Friday continues the trend of mixed skies and calm air, with another high of 14°C and the UV index bumping up to 6—classified as high. It’s shaping up to be a great day for outdoor activities before the weekend sunshine kicks things into high gear.

Friday night will be clear with a low of 5°C, setting the stage for a truly glorious weekend. Saturday brings full sun and a stunning high of 25°C. Sunday and Monday keep up the summer preview, with highs of 26°C and 27°C respectively, and clear skies throughout. It’s a sudden—and very welcome—temperature leap that has beach weather arriving before the ice cream trucks even tune their jingles.

Weather History: May in Manitoba is No Stranger to Extremes

Winnipeg’s warmest May 1, on record reached a sweltering 32.8°C in 1998, while the chilliest start to the month was a biting -10.6°C in 1967. Today’s start is modest by comparison, but the coming days could easily land us in top-10 territory for early May warmth.

What to Wear?

Today calls for layers—start with a sweater or light jacket in the morning and shed down to a T-shirt by mid-afternoon. A windbreaker won’t go amiss with those breezy northeast gusts. This weekend? Time to break out the summer wardrobe. Hats, sunscreen, and maybe even shorts—yes, really.

Weather Trivia: Prairie Heat Rockets

Did you know that Manitoba’s flat landscape and dry air make it one of the fastest-warming regions in Canada on sunny spring days? That’s why you’ll see jumps of 10°C or more over just a couple of days—prairie heat doesn’t mess around!