Winter Wonderland Greets Southern Manitoba Monday

Southern Manitoba is awakened up to a very snowy Monday. Snowfall Warnings remain in place across the region, as a system moving through the northern U.S. continues to drop significant amounts.

“I expected this to be the largest snow-maker of the season, so far, and that’s exactly what’s coming to pass,” said CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner Monday morning. “Sunday night, overnight into Monday morning, we have been seeing snowfall rates of up to 2 to 2.5cms per hour, or about an inch. Without a doubt, this will be the first major snowstorm of the season.”

An additional 10cms is expected in the Red River Valley and Southeastern parts of the province throughout the day, potentially up to another 5cms in the Southwestern corner of Manitoba.

“Since the snow started to fall, the wind hasn’t been much of a concern, but that will change as the cold front associated with this low starts moving through the region,” noted Sumner. “We can expect northwesterly winds to develop, with gusts up to 50 km/h. Combined with the freshly fallen, and quite light and fluffy snow, blowing snow and reduced visibility will be a concern later today. We’re expecting the wind to pick up around lunch, and last well into the evening.”

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The snow will taper off west to east throughout Monday, with the flakes wrapping up in Western Manitoba early this afternoon, and at some point in the evening in the Red River Valley and Southeast.

“It’s important to keep in mind, that cold front moving through is the start of an extended stretch of bone chilling temperatures, the coldest we’ve seen since February of this year.”

As the cold front passes, cold arctic air will rush into Southern Manitoba, and temperatures will fall throughout the day, potentially up to 15 degrees or so, by Monday evening. Highs will top out around -7 to -9, and by Monday night temperatures will be around -17 to -24.

“That arctic air-mass is expected to be around for at least the next 5 to 7 days, with the long range forecast models indicating it could be well into January before we see a moderation back to seasonal,” noted Sumner. “Highs through New Year’s Day will be 10 to 15 degrees below average, hovering around -23 to -27.”

Getting back to the snow, there is more on the way this week, with Sumner pointing to a second system impacting the area overnight Monday and throughout Tuesday.

“Indications are that low will bring up to another 5cms to most areas from the Red River Valley eastward to the Ontario border,” he said. “There’s also some early signs of a third system potentially bringing another round of snow Thursday, but that is still uncertain. What we can say with certainty is by New Year’s Eve, much of Southern Manitoba will have received at least 15 to 20cms of snow, or more, combined this week.”