Heavy snowfall to bring dangerous travel to Manitoba

The City of Winnipeg is preparing for significant snow to arrive in Winnipeg in the coming days.

Manitobans are being warned to prepare for heavy snowfall and dangerous travel conditions beginning on Tuesday night.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a yellow warning – snowfall for much of southern and western Manitoba on Tuesday morning, saying a long period of snowfall is expected.

The weather agency notes the Manitoba escarpment and higher terrain of the Parklands region could see as much as 30 centimetres of snow. Elsewhere, between 15 to 25 centimetres is expected.

The snow will subside on Thursday morning.

ECCC warns the snow will likely make travel challenging due to the potential of outages, reduced visibility and road closures. Drivers are urged to prepare for deteriorating travel conditions.

Blowing snow and freezing rain

Along with snowfall, ECCC also issued blowing snow and freezing rain warnings for some Manitoba communities.

The weather agency warns that snowfall combined with strong wind gusts will bring blowing snow and poor visibility to southwestern Manitoba later on Tuesday afternoon.

The winds will slowly ease up on Tuesday evening.

Those in affected areas are urged to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

ECCC also warns an approaching Montana low will bring periods of freezing rain to southwestern Manitoba on Tuesday afternoon. However, the freezing rain will turn to snow by Tuesday evening.

The weather agency notes that roads and walkways may become slippery, adding that utility outages are also possible.