Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Storm system still threatens rain/snow over southern MB this weekend..

Models continue to indicate the likelihood of a storm system emerging out of the central Rockies and moving into the northern Plains this weekend, bringing an area of rain and wet snow over southern MB Saturday into Sunday. As usual with these systems, determining where the rain/snow line will set up is difficult to pinpoint several days ahead.. but a growing consensus is emerging that the bulk of the snow will likely fall mainly west and north of the Red River valley (especially in areas with higher elevation), with mainly rain over the Red River valley and SE MB. Even here though, rain may change over to snow Sunday morning as colder air wraps in on the backside of the system, with some slushy accumulations possible before the area of precipitation moves out. Again, the storm system is still a few days out and things can change.. so stay tuned as we monitor the progress of this potential first snowmaker of the season for parts of southern MB.

12 comments:

  1. OK, fearless forecasters.. poll's up! How much snow will Winnipeg see this weekend (by Sunday evening) Wet or white? Let us know!

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  2. like the last few Colorado lows to hit us, here in Winnipeg will stay mostly rain while south western Manitoba will see snow...maybe a few cm here in Winnipeg on Sunday on the back side of Low

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  3. This storm system is gonna whip up some gusty winds tomorrow! Wind gusts to 70km/h are possible.

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  4. WOW!
    Rob called us ......
    "fearless forecaster"
    So if I get this poll question right, you got a job lined up for me at Environment Canada :-)

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  5. "fearless" doesn't necessarily mean "employable".. but I'll give you kudos if you're right! :)

    Early poll results generally going with the current model consensus of a slight coating for Winnipeg on Sunday with rain changing to snow on the tail end of the storm as it pulls off. If the storm tracks a bit further east though, we could see more. Currently though, best bet for accumulating snow still looks like areas north and west of Winnipeg over western/southwest MB/nrn Interlake, especially over higher elevations (Riding and Duck Mtns, Turtle Mtn, areas near SK border, etc) If you have travel plans out that way this weekend, be prepared for some white stuff especially late Saturday into Sunday..

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  6. Fire weather watch has been issued for almost all areas of North Dakota.
    EC might issue a Special weather Statement for the upcoming weekend system.

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  7. Special weather statements issued for western MB and eastern SK for upcoming system. Winter storm watches out for ern MT and NW ND. Looks more and more likely it will be mainly a miss for Winnipeg/RRV.. except maybe some leftover flakes Sunday. TransCanada and Yellowhead Hwys on either side of MB/SK border will have some dicey weather Saturday night into Sunday.

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  8. Latest model runs indicating that things will get cranking Saturday night as low deepens over southern Manitoba. With storm track across western RRV, bulk of snow expected along SK/MB border Sat night into Sunday with highest amounts over eastern SK into western Riding/Duck Mtns, Swan River area. Non event for Winnipeg.. sorry snow lovers.. better luck next time :)

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  9. Looks like Calgary is enjoying their fair share of snow this morning!!

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  10. Would EC issue a winter storm watch for southwestern manitoba with all the snow that is being forecast? They havent yet.

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  11. Mike..

    EC issues winter storm watches in advance of major winter storms that produce at least 25 cm or snow within 24 hours, or are also accompanied by strong winds and/or freezing rain. These would be issued 24 to 36 hours in advance of the onset of the storm.

    If snowfall is expected to less intense, but still significant (i.e. > 10 cm within 12 hrs) they will issue "snowfall warnings" 12 to 18 hours in advance. These types of events do not have to be preceded by a winter storm watch.

    A special "weather warning" can be issued for the first general snowfall of the season of 5 cm or more that could cause impacts to travel. Again, these types of events do not have to be preceded by a winter storm watch, but they are sometimes preceded by a "special weather statement" such as with this event.

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  12. Not travel'n the TC west til next wknd, whats the Fargo to Winnipeg corridor look'n like Sat/Sun

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