White fright or ‘white gold,’ there’s snow in the forecast this week

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This article was published 23/10/2023 (691 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With a dump of snow predicted to hit here as early as Wednesday, Winnipeggers are scrambling to find winter tires and hire shovelling services after being lulled into complacency by a long, mild fall.

But what is a four-letter word for many people is money in the bank to others.

Ken Kile, owner of the Fountain Tire outlet on Portage Avenue, said his phones are ringing off the hook and his inbox is being filled by Winnipeggers looking for appointments to switch their regular all-season tires for the safer winter-specific variety.

“As soon as the snow flies, it becomes what the tire industry calls ‘white gold,’” Kile said Monday.

“If you had called last week, it was only a couple of days out before I could get you in. It is 2 1/2 weeks now. The last couple of weeks people have been calling, but when they see a snowflake on their weather app they all start calling.”

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Monday that said “confidence is increasing” for southern Manitoba to be hit by snow sometime between mid- to late week, but forecasters aren’t sure yet how much and where the first Colorado low weather system will spread the white stuff.

The seven-day outlook shows Winnipeg will get snow or rain Wednesday with a 60 per cent chance of flurries Thursday night and during the day Friday.

Saturday, with a predicted high of -2C, will mark the first time in months when the mercury won’t get above freezing.

Tim Muys, co-owner of Green Blade Lawn Care, said he’s ready for what winter throws at the company… just not until Nov. 1.

Muys said that’s when Green Blade’s residential snow-clearing contracts begin.

“We have 652 shovels ready, 327 sleigh sweeps, dozens of snow blowers and seven front-end loaders… we’re always ready to go,” he said. We’ve been doing this for 27 years.”

He said while some homeowners enjoy doing their own yard cleanups and grass-cutting, there are far fewer who like clearing snow.

Elisha Dacey, CAA Manitoba’s communications manager, said Manitobans should get their vehicles ready for winter conditions.

“People often wait until the first snowfall,” Dacey said.

“Preparing now means your vehicle will be as safe as it can be when the cold weather comes.”

CAA’s top winter driving tips are having winter tires installed and having your battery tested before it fails in bitter cold.

“There’s still time to make sure you, your loved ones and your vehicle are ready to drive safely this winter,” she said.

Dave Phillips, Environment Canada’s senior climatologist, said he knows why Manitobans have delayed getting ready for winter.

“It has been an outstanding, gorgeous fall,” Phillips said.

“I remember how cold it was in March and April and then suddenly on May 1 winter ended and summer began. There was no spring and there was no frost. You didn’t get a killing frost until Oct. 10 at -4.

“You really have been on a roll.”

Phillips said only eight Octobers in Winnipeg during the last 70 years have had no snow; 18 of them had just a trace, but there was a measurable amount in 44 of them.

The most snow in October was recorded in 1919 at 38.6 centimetres.

Susan Postma, CAA Manitoba’s regional manager, said a lot of people are already looking to book winter getaways.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca