Smoke is blowing into Southern Manitoba this morning after a passing low pressure system Wednesday has shifted winds to a northerly direction, once again pushing forest fire smoke southward from Central and Eastern Manitoba.

Special Air Quality Statements are in effect for most of Southern Manitoba, with the most dense smoke in the vicinity and downwind of the fires. The smoke is expected to linger into Friday.

Meanwhile, that same low pressure system gave the region’s Rainwatchers the opportunity to check their rain gauges after an area of precipitation moved through parts of the region Wednesday afternoon. A couple of isolated thunderstorms added to those totals last night.

According to our PembinaValleyOnline Rainwatchers, Environment Canada and the Manitoba Ag Weather Network these are the rainfall totals for August 4th:

Dominion City – 7.7mm (just over three tenths)
Altona (rural) – 5.6mm (just over two tenths)
Gretna – 4.3mm
Emerson – 4.2mm
Altona (in town) – 2mm (less than a tenth)
Winkler (south of city) – 1.5mm
Manitou – 1.2mm
Clearwater – 1.1mm
Morden/Pilot Mound – less than a millimeter
25mm = 1 inch