Southern centres greet weekend under snowfall warning

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/03/2023 (951 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Those hoping spring is around the corner will likely be disappointed this weekend, as snow and heavy winds are expected across southern Manitoba.

A low pressure system will be crossing over the U.S.-Canada border starting Friday night, according to a weather alert from Environment Canada.

The system will bring as much as 10-20 centimetres of snow into Saturday night and winds that could result in trouble on the highways.

As of Friday afternoon, snowfall warnings were in effect in across the province, including in Winnipeg, Selkirk, Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Steinbach.

While a special weather statement was in place in Winnipeg earlier in the day — which said it was possible the system could track further south, limiting snowfall and blowing snow in the city — it was upgraded to a snowfall warning by the afternoon.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop,” the Environment Canada snowfall warning reads Friday.

“Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.”

The snow is expected to taper off overnight Saturday in southwestern Manitoba and early Sunday in the Red River Valley and southeastern Manitoba.

City of Winnipeg snow crews stand ready, officials said.

“Crews are monitoring road conditions and stand ready to apply salt to improve traction on roadways throughout the city as required. Accumulations of snow will be monitored and further decisions will be made as the weather system passes through the city,” a Friday statement from the city reads.

Winnipeg’s annual winter route parking ban, which requires vehicles be removed from streets with winter route signage from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., remains in effect. While it traditionally ended on the last day of February in years prior, it now remains in place until city crews deem it is no longer needed.

The city can also call a extended winter route parking ban when snowfall results in extra time needed to clear snow. The extended ban prohibits vehicles from parking on winter route streets from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m.

You can find out if your community is under a snowfall warning through the Environment Canada website.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca