Southern Manitoba in for winter wallop: ECCC

Don’t put away your shovels and winter coats just yet.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), a “strong winter storm” is currently forecast to affect southern Manitoba this weekend.

“This system will likely bring snow, rain, freezing rain, and even a few rumbles of thunder,” ECCC said in a weather statement. “Snow will begin in southern Manitoba on Saturday afternoon and evening. On Saturday night, snow may change to freezing rain and rain in southeast parts of the province, including the Red River Valley.”

ECCC said the exact track of the snowstorm is not known right now, so the location of the snow and freezing rain is also unclear.

It will become clearer as the weekend gets closer, the weather agency said.

ECCC added Friday if the precipitation remains as snow, between 20 and 30 cm of snow is possible in some areas west of the Red River Valley. Strong winds are expected Saturday and Sunday, and will give low visibility for drivers.

“Unnecessary travel is not recommended,” ECCC said.

The system is expected to move out of the region Sunday.