Colder this weekend, then mild again next week

We've been enjoying some nice milder than normal temperatures the past couple of days, along with the messy roads that go with it (the downside of milder temperatures in a Winnipeg winter) It looks like we'll get into some colder air this weekend (maybe enough to keep the car clean for a couple of days!) before milder temperatures return for next week, and the Christmas holiday. All in all, no major snowstorms to worry about over southern MB through Christmas at this point, although Saturday could be blustery with occasional snow. Have a safe and happy holiday wherever your travel plans take you!

Clipper may cause travel problems Thursday morning

An Alberta clipper system will be tracking across southern MB overnight into Thursday morning, bringing some snow and gusty winds behind it.  The combination of fresh snow and increasing north winds will create reduced visibilities in blowing snow mainly over the Red River valley on Thursday, especially in open areas outside of Winnipeg where near-blizzard conditions may be possible for a few hours Thursday morning.  Snow is expected to move into Winnipeg this evening with about 5 cm possible by Thursday morning. As the snow tapers off, winds will pick up from the north behind this system with gusts to 60 or 70 km/h Thursday morning giving blowing and drifting snow along with falling temperatures. As a result, be prepared for poor travelling conditions Thursday morning and allow extra time for the commute into work or school. Conditions should be improving by Thursday afternoon as a ridge of high pressure builds into western MB.

The week ahead

Dry and cold weather will dominate the weather picture today and Tuesday with highs in the minus teens both days. On Wednesday, an Alberta clipper will track into southern MB bringing milder temperatures into Southern MB, with highs of minus 7 predicted for Winnipeg by afternoon. If so, this would be the "mildest" day in Winnipeg since Nov 25th (over two weeks ago) when we hit -4C.  This clipper will also bring an area of snow with it, likely spreading into Winnipeg from the northwest by evening.  As the clipper passes into NW Ontario Wednesday night, snow will move through Winnipeg with up to 5 cm possible by Thursday morning along with gusty northerly winds developing. As a result, be prepared for a possible slow commute into work or school Thursday morning. Colder and drier conditions are expected for Thursday and Friday with highs on Friday only around minus 18. Long range models are hinting at a trend towards normal or even above normal temperatures next week.. but we'll have to see if those models continue with that trend over the next few days. Until then.. stay warm!

More snow on the way Tuesday..

The snow keeps coming..

After this weekend's brush with a Colorado low to our south, Southern MB will get more snow from an Alberta clipper system moving in from the west overnight into Tuesday. Some light snow is falling across southern MB today, but the main action is expected over Southern SK tonight moving into southern MB overnight into Tuesday as the clipper system becomes better organized. Current projections call for the bulk of the snow (10-15 cm) to fall across SW Manitoba south of a line from Swan River to Emerson continuing south into North Dakota (including Grand Forks and Fargo again). Winter storm watches are in effect for these areas, which will likely be upgraded to snowfall warnings later today. Winnipeg and Southeast MB should be on the eastern fringe of this system, but we could see about 5 cm of snow beginning early Tuesday.. which is all you need to make for poor travelling conditions.

Winter appears to be making up for its slow start in a hurry this year!

Winter Storm Update

Snow has crossed the border into Southern MB this morning with visibilities down to 1 km in snow at the border in Emerson as of 9 am. Snow is falling across North Dakota and Minnesota this morning with visibilities down to 1 mile or less in Grand Forks and Fargo. Look for snow to get heavier in these areas through this afternoon with accumulations of 10 to 20 cm by tonight. Check out webcams over North Dakota and Minnesota to monitor the progress of this storm.

Here in Southern MB, the snow has pushed as far north as Morris as of 9:30 am and should continue to spread north into Winnipeg by midday or early afternoon. It looks like Winnipeg should stay on the northern fringe of this system with perhaps 2 to 4 cm of snow this afternoon through tonight. Higher amounts of 5 to 10 cm are possible south and east of the city including Morris, Steinbach, Emerson and Falcon Lake, with 10 cm or more over Northwestern Ontario. Expect deteriorating driving conditions this afternoon into tonight, especially south and east of Winnipeg. Improving conditions are expected Sunday as the storm departs the region overnight.