Manitoba weather: Snow system to bring quick end to warm temperatures

A warm, but windy Wednesday afternoon is taking shape in Winnipeg and across southern Manitoba.

For the first time in months, several areas in the southeast are forecast to climb into double-digit temperatures—on the positive side of the freezing mark.

Winnipeg is forecast to reach a balmy high of 11 C under mostly sunny conditions. The last time temperatures were that warm in the city was November 9 last year, when the daytime high was 12.7 C.

The lone spoiler is strong and gusting west winds this afternoon.

In the southwest, temperatures won’t rise as high, but still well above freezing. Brandon’s forecast high of 6 C in the sunshine is above the normal high of 3 C for late March.

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Enjoy it while it lasts—a potent low pressure system is set to arrive in the province by Thursday afternoon.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a special weather statement for most of southwestern and south-central Manitoba, up to Winnipeg’s western doorstep.

The weather agency said this system will produce 10-25 cm of snow roughly along the Yellowhead Highway corridor from Alberta, through central Saskatchewan, into southern Manitoba.

ECCC said heavy snow will begin Thursday afternoon. It’s expected to accumulate quickly. Blowing snow is also anticipated, so prepare for deteriorating travel conditions by Thursday evening.

Snowfall warnings are expected to be issued as the system approaches.

In Manitoba, the weather agency said the first round of snow should remain north of the Trans-Canada Highway on Thursday night into Friday, when the heaviest snowfall is expected.

A secondary round of snow is likely to bring 5-10 cm of accumulating snow to southern Manitoba.

Snow could reach Winnipeg and Red River Valley as early as late Thursday afternoon and continue on Friday.