Winter has finally arrived, with a major storm taking aim at the eastern Prairies through Wednesday. Widespread winter storm and snowfall warnings are in effect, warning drivers to prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in the warning for western Manitoba.
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Some Pacific energy will meet up with a Texas low, and will stall across southern Manitoba through Wednesday. This is not a common storm track and one that will bring some significant snow and powerful winds, which could result in dangerous blizzard-like conditions.
Some areas are in line to see 15-30+ cm of snowfall, with considerable travel disruptions possible for the hardest-hit regions. Power outages are likely as well, as gusty winds and heavy, wet snow add stress to trees and power lines.
Be mindful before heading out on the roads, and adjust your travel plans accordingly.
Tuesday to Wednesday: Heavy, blowing snow will make a mess of travel conditions
Widespread warnings are in effect for the hazardous winter conditions that will span the eastern Prairies through Wednesday. A strong, low-pressure system approaching from the south brings rain, freezing rain, heavy snow, and gusty winds.
Precipitation in many areas has started out as rain before transitioning to snow as colder air gets wrapped into the system.
Periods of snow will develop across eastern Saskatchewan and fill in across southwestern Manitoba, with sustained winds pushing at about 40 km/h out of the northwest. That will lead to reduced visibility and blowing snow concerns.
Brandon, Man., could also see a period of freezing rain, creating some slippery surfaces, before a heavy snowfall changeover by the afternoon hours on Tuesday.
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The rain-snow line will slide east through the afternoon, pushing as far east as Sandy Bay First Nation and Winkler, Man. by Tuesday evening, then will shift farther east overnight.
Winnipeg, Man., is forecast to see heavy rain, but will then transition to snow by Tuesday night, and into Wednesday morning.
The heaviest snow is expected along the Saskatchewan and Manitoba border, with 15-30 cm forecast through Wednesday. Both Regina and Winnipeg are expected to see lesser amounts of 5-15 cm, with the rain totals mixing in.
With temperatures hovering so close to the freezing mark, however, small changes in the track of this system could result in significant changes in snowfall.
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Dangerous blizzard conditions
Blizzard conditions are possible into Tuesday evening as wind gusts hit 50-70 km/h for several hours. Expect near-zero visibility along the provincial borders.
“Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery,” says ECCC in a winter storm warning for western Manitoba.
Road closures are possible due to the deteriorating and dangerous conditions. Heavy, wet snow can also cause additional issues on the power grid.
Much colder, Arctic air will filter in behind the system, with daytime highs in the -5 to -10 range. We’re also keeping an eye on another widespread significant snowfall Friday and Saturday for much of the southern and central Prairies. It is too early to have confidence in snow totals and where the heaviest snow will fall, but this could have a major impact on travel across the Prairies.
Beyond, a more wintry pattern is expected to spill into the final week of November.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.