Storm to blow across southern Manitoba, dump up to 25 cm of snow in some areas

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/04/2023 (927 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Up to 25 centimetres of snow is forecast to blanket parts of southern Manitoba in an early spring storm beginning Tuesday afternoon. High winds could mix with snow and cause poor visibility, making highway travel dangerous, the storm warning from Environment Canada predicts.

Light snow is expected to begin late Tuesday afternoon and get heavier overnight and into Wednesday, tapering off Thursday evening.

The Colorado low is set to hit southeastern Manitoba the hardest, bringing 20 to 25 centimetres. Winnipeg and the Red River Valley could see 10 to 15 centimetres and western Manitoba could receive five to 10 cm.

Blowing snow will be a problem in some areas, particularly in the Red River Valley and western parts of the province, where winds could gust up to 70 kilometres per hour. The snowfall warning could be upgraded to a blizzard warning depending on winds and significantly reduced visibility for extended periods of time, said Janelle Gergely, a Winnipeg-based meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The strongest winds are expected Wednesday morning and early afternoon; by that time, the system should be moving east into Ontario.

“So it’s a bit offset on timing between the strongest winds and the heaviest snowfall, but with all the fresh snowfall, conditions are still going to be quite bad, particularly in the Red River Valley,” she said.

The federal department issued a winter storm warning for Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie and communities east and south. A storm watch has been issued for Brandon and surrounding areas, which are expected to get less snow.

Highway closures are likely. The province is preparing to send out its fleet of heavy equipment for plowing, grading and de-icing and is issuing an advisory on safety tips for travel, according to a news release issued Monday afternoon.

“Southwestern Manitoba received up to 20 centimetres of snow yesterday. Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is monitoring the weather system and will issue updated river flow and river level forecasts once the system passes,” the statement reads

Power outages can occur during blizzards and Manitobans are encouraged to prepare basic emergency kits with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.”

More information is available at http://wfp.to/0l2.

The Colorado low track is frequently to blame for early spring storms in Manitoba, Gergely said.

“One thing to look forward to is that the weekend forecast is very warm,” with above-seasonal temperatures on the way, she said.

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com