As the end of January fast approaches, it’s been a month of both bitter cold snaps and soaring temperatures in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.
Tuesday will bring the latter to southern Manitoba. Afternoon forecast highs for most southern regions is 2 C or 3 C, including Winnipeg and Brandon.
For perspective, Winnipeg’s highest temperature on this day one year ago was 0.3 C, while two years ago it was just -22.4 C.
A low pressure system will track southeastward across the province on Tuesday afternoon. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said flurries or showers could blossom along the system’s cold front as it moves southward.
The weather agency said the system already brought 5 to 10 cm of snow across northern and central Manitoba overnight, except for Lynn Lake and Brochet where ECCC had forecast 10 cm.
Light snow will continue on Tuesday afternoon in the north.
Northwestern communities including Flin Flon and The Pas will see temperatures fall to around -11 C in northerly winds that developed behind the cold front. In the northeast, temperatures in Churchill are expected to plummet to -30 C.
Snow will end by Tuesday evening in most areas. Temperatures will fall overnight to the minus thirties in regions furthest north. Overnight lows will be far less cold in northern areas further south.
Flurries are possible tonight across southern Manitoba. Overnight lows will be milder in the southwest than in the southeast, but will remain well above normal for late January in all areas.
Mild temperatures just below the freezing mark will continue on Wednesday and Thursday in Winnipeg, before returning closer to seasonal on Friday - the last day of January.
Milder temperatures return for the first day of February on Saturday.
