An unusually warm May 11th might end with another couple of rare weather events for this time of year, strong to severe thunderstorms and poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. 

Environment Canada has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for a good portion of the Southeast and Severe Thunderstorm Watches for most of the rest of southern Manitoba. 

A low pressure system located in northern Manitoba is tracking eastward, and the cold front associated with it may trigger scattered thunderstorms Saturday evening. There is a concern that strong wind gusts can develop. 

As the cold front passes, winds will shift northerly late tonight, and remain there throughout Mother's Day Sunday, with gusts up to 50 km/h likely. Daytime highs will also be ten degrees cooler than Saturday, topping out around 18 to 20 degrees. 

Meanwhile, the combination of strong northerly winds behind this low and forest fires burning in the Flin Flon and The Pas areas, is leading to a band of wildfire smoke moving southwards through Manitoba. This band will bring 4 to 8 hours of poor air quality and reduced visibility as the smoke moves through. 

Conditions will improve Saturday evening through central Manitoba. The band of smoke will move into southern Manitoba through the evening hours. Conditions in the south will improve on Sunday morning.