Manitoba weather: Winter blast heading to province

Terri Gale has your Tuesday morning look at the weather.

Be prepared for big blasts of wintry weather this week in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.

Two Alberta clippers are heading our way. The first will bring significant snowfall to northern regions, while the same is expected for southern Manitoba when the second one roars through.

Before the first system arrives in full force, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says a risk of freezing rain will develop in the Parkland region Monday afternoon, ahead of the clipper’s warm front.

The weather agency says the system will spread 10-20 cm of snow across the northern Prairies, with the heaviest snow falling from Brochet and Lynn Lake, through Thompson to Gillam and Shamattawa.

Central regions won’t see nearly as much snow. But freezing rain is possible in those areas and across the south, including Winnipeg, through to the Lake of the Woods region, as temperatures rise overnight. This could cause slippery roads and highways.

Temperature will rise above freezing in the south on Tuesday morning before falling in the afternoon as strong and gusting northwest winds develop. At the same time, rain is expected by late morning, before turning to snow in the afternoon. Again, slippery roads and highways are possible.

ECCC says the next clipper will be even more potent and will begin to track across the southern Prairies starting Wednesday.

The weather agency says this will likely be a notable winter storm, with the risk of freezing rain, 10-25 cm of snow, and blowing snow in strong winds.

Snow will begin Wednesday, then intensify at night in blowing snow. ECCC says Brandon and Winnipeg will be along the stretch with the heaviest snowfall.

ECCC says near-blizzard conditions will develop along the Trans-Canada corridor in southern Manitoba from Wednesday night into Thursday, adding such conditions will likely continue in the Red River Valley into Thursday afternoon.

If that wasn’t enough, expect a surge of cold Arctic air behind both clippers. By Thursday, Winnipeg will return to a mix of sun and cloud, with a daytime high of -20 C.