Most of southern Manitoba now under winter storm watch for the weekend

March 1, 2024 Canuck

A winter storm watch is now in effect in most of southern and central Manitoba, as a low-pressure system coming from south of the border is set to bring heavy snow to the province’s southwest this weekend, Environment Canada says.

The system from Montana will reach southwestern Manitoba Saturday evening and continue moving northeast through Monday, the weather agency said Friday.

An area of heavy snow and gusty winds is forecast to cover much of the southern half of the province by Sunday morning. Regions under the winter storm watch could see snowfall totals from 25 to 40 centimetres, according to Environment Canada.

Winds could reach up to 80 kilometres per hour, resulting in blowing snow. That could make travel difficult or hazardous due to reduced visibility, the weather agency warns. It recommends avoiding travel if possible Saturday night through Monday.

A graphic showing forecast snowfall totals for Manitoba — Regions under the winter storm watch could see snowfall totals of between 25 and 40 centimetres. (Riley Laychuk/CBC)

The agency encourages anyone who does have to travel to plan for emergencies and have a kit with drinking water, food, medicine, flashlight and first-aid kit.

As of Friday afternoon, the winter storm watch is in effect for:

Arborg, Hecla, Fisher River, Gypsumville, Ashern.
Berens River, Little Grand Rapids, Bloodvein, Atikaki.
Bissett, Victoria Beach, Nopiming Provincial Park, Pine Falls.
Brandon, Neepawa, Carberry, Treherne.
Dauphin, Russell, Roblin, Winnipegosis.
Grand Rapids, Waterhen.
Killarney, Pilot Mound, Manitou.
Melita, Boissevain, Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
Minnedosa, Riding Mountain National Park.
Poplar River.
Portage la Prairie, Headingley, Brunkild, Carman.
Selkirk, Gimli, Stonewall, Woodlands.
Ste. Rose, McCreary, Alonsa, Gladstone.
Swan River, Duck Mountain, Porcupine Provincial Forest.
Virden, Souris.

A related special weather statement is still in effect in southeastern Manitoba, including Winnipeg.

A graphic showing southern Manitoba — A related special weather statement is still in effect in the southeast, shown here in blue. The area in grey is under the winter storm watch as of Friday afternoon. (Riley Laychuk/CBC)

Environment Canada said the storm is these regions may change to freezing rain and rain before switching back to snow Sunday night:

City of Winnipeg.
Dugald, Beausejour, Grand Beach.
Morden, Winkler, Altona, Morris.
Sprague, Northwest Angle Provincial Forest.
Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Emerson, Vita, Richer.
Whiteshell, Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa.

Meanwhile, parts of northern Manitoba are under a snowfall warning. About 10 centimetres of snow is expected in an area stretching from Tadoule Lake through Gillam, moving toward Shamattawa, Environment Canada says.

The heavy snow will begin Friday afternoon, tapering off by early in the evening.

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