Rain, freezing rain and snow begins transition to colder weather.

Southern portions of Manitoba have experienced a warmer than average period Of weather over the past few weeks, that looks to end abruptly as a low pressure system moves through the region over the next several hours.  This will impact our weather tonight into tomorrow, all hazards of  winter weather are expected find out what they are and the timing of precipitation. Also this blog will be a bit shorter compared to other blogs that I’ve done I am only going to be looking at tonight and tomorrow’s weather with a little glance for Friday. 

Now-Friday 

Southern sections of Manitoba will be on the Northside of a low pressure system, A warm front will be attached to the system which will impact our region and cause some winter weather over the next 24 hours. Precipitation has already started to fill into the regions of southern Manitoba, With rain falling in vast portion of the south. Snow is also falling in sections of Southeastern Manitoba and southwestern Manitoba but a few patches in the northern Interlakes regions. 

Timing and Precipitation Type, Location: Wednesday Night. (Photo above is at 12am local time). 

The system will begin to intensify over the next 3 to 6 hours, looking at some of the model Dad I recently it looks like the majority of the precipitation will fall as rain or freezing rain between Brandon into the red river valley and a small portion south east of Winnipeg. There is also a chance that some of this precipitation could mix with snow however that does not look likely in the latest model runs.  Freezing rain is more likely in areas of Southeastern Manitoba, as well as sections between Arborg and Gimli. Those interested where the snowfall it looks like there may be some snow mixed with freezing rain in areas of Southeastern Manitoba with just plain snow in regions of southwestern Manitoba between Brandon into Killarney, and pilot mound. The large amount of moisture and precipitation will exit southern regions, Shortly before dawn or after sunrise. As it moves into Minnesota and Ontario will be a chance for some rain mixed with snow in Winkler regions as well as sign back in to Sprague and Piney regions. 

Accumulations:

If this changes on future model runs I will let you guys know. Snow:As far as precipitation accumulation goes, areas of south western Manitoba including Brandon into Killarney can expect 1 to 3 cm. Snowfall accumulations in south eastern Manitoba will be between 1-5cm. Freezing Rain and mixed precipitation. : For sections of Southeastern Manitoba and patches in Interlakes region can expect a trace to 2 mm of freezing rain, there is also a risk for freezing rain in the accumulation of 1 mm in red River Valley and areas that will see rainfall. Rain: large portion from the red river valley into Southwestern Manitoba we’ll see between 1 to 8 mm of rain that is quite concerning as temperatures will likely drop below zero by the morning. The largest accumulations of will occur south of Winnipeg along highway 1 into the white shell. 

Temperatures: will drop between zero and -3°C by sunrise they will also gradually drop throughout the rest of the day. For the most part overnights sections of the Red River Valley and Southwestern Manitoba will remaining above zero (1 to 2C) overnight into Thursday. However the temperature will drop towards sunrise their actual overnight low temperatures dropping between -1 and -4°C around 6am. This is a concern for a large portion of the region which well experience rain and freezing rain throughout the overnight. This will potentially cause accidents and travel difficulties because of the ice buildup from the rainfall of forecasted 1 to 8mm which will freeze possibly overnight into the morning hours.  You have your salt and ice melter. 

Forecast: Winnipeg: Mainly Rain or snow mixed with freezing rain at times, late this evening and after midnight. Rain ending before morning then snow. Rainfall accumulation, 3-5mm. Snowfall amounts Trace to 1cm. Low +3C falling to -2 by 6 a.m. 

Brandon:  Periods of Rain or snow, risk of freezing rain 30% chance. Snowfall amounts: 1 to 3 cm, rainfall amounts trace to 1mm. Low temperature: 3C falling 2 to -4 Celsius by morning.

Thursday and Friday: On Thursday there looks to be a risk for freezing drizzle or freezing rain in the early afternoon hours. Then cloudy skies should be the dominating feature on Thursday and Friday, as well both days look to be cooler than average our temperatures will likely drop into the mid minus single digits (-5 to -9C) for daytime high temperatures and overnight lows in the high minus single digits to low minus teens (-6 to -12C).

Stay safe and stay tuned Manitoba weather centre for updates on this evolving situation.