Blizzard conditions, gusty winds heading to Manitoba

An Alberta clipper has put most of southern Manitoba under a blizzard warning. CTV’s Colleen Bready explains what to expect.

Manitobans are being warned to brace for blizzard conditions as an Alberta Clipper is set to bring heavy snow and strong winds over the southern part of the province.

On Wednesday morning, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued an orange warning for a blizzard for several southern Manitoba communities, including Winnipeg and Brandon. An orange warning means severe weather is likely to cause significant damage and disruption, as well as major and widespread impacts.

According to the blizzard warning, the severe weather is expected to begin Wednesday afternoon in the Manitoba parklands and Wednesday evening in southwestern Manitoba, the Interlake and the Red River Valley. It’s expected to end throughout the day on Thursday.

Ten to 20 centimetres of snow is expected with wind gusts between 70 to 90 km/h. Freezing rain over parts of southern and western Manitoba will also be a concern.

ECCC warns that near zero visibility will make travel dangerous, adding there may be a significant impact to rush hour traffic.

Manitobans are urged to avoid travel and outdoor activities.

Other weather warnings in place

Along with the blizzard warning, other parts of Manitoba are subject to other weather alerts.

ECCC has issued a yellow warning for a winter storm in parts of southeast Manitoba, with up to 20 cm of snow and wind gusts as strong as 60 km/h in the forecast.

Several communities, including Brandon, Argyle and Souris-Glenwood, are also under yellow warnings for freezing rain with up to one to two millimetres of freezing rain expected.

More information is available online.