Snowy, Messy weekend of winter weather, albeit mild temperatures ahead.

 Much of our region has had a break when it comes to unsettled weather for the last several weeks, in fact we’ve been having a long snow drought. Milder weather has arrived for us however that will likely bring a change as we head into the weekend. This change I’m talking about isn’t related to colder weather, I’m sorry to be the bear of bad news however it appears that we will be seeing a SNOWSTORM. Find out what that means in the latest blog post. 

Much of southern sections of Manitoba are likely to experience some significant weather over the next 48-72 hours. This could also end up being the heaviest snowfall we have seen in recent months as we have been in an ongoing snow drought. Let’s have a look at the latest weather data from the models. 

Friday (above): Ahead of the low pressure system a warm air mass will sit over the area with sunny skies present, this system will likely show up in the evening hours. Temperatures on the day Friday will rise into the low to mid minus single digits (-1 to -4C). Melting will likely take place. Snow will begin this evening as seen below.

Friday Night (Above): This is when the weather will begin to transform into a miserable snowy mess, yes I said snow. Don’t slap the weather man. A large swath of snow will develop on the northside of a 995MB Low and in the process will likely begin moving into southeastern Saskatchewan as it encounters a moist airmass, not hot enough for thunderstorms yet. By about late evening all of southwestern Manitoba should be experiencing heavy snow and blowing snow. Initial thoughts are that it should begin filling into the rest of southern Manitoba by the early morning hours. Read to the end to find out storm total accumulations. Overnight lows on Friday night will likely sit in the mid to high minus single digits around (-7C to -10C) colder the further north you go. 

Saturday (Above): Much of southern Manitoba will be enveloped by heavy snowfall in the afternoon, blowing snow will be an issue and highway and city travel will not be recommended. I’m assuming that possible blizzard conditions will be possible as well. High temperatures on the day high temperatures will sit in the low to mid minus single digits (-5 to -9C).

Saturday night (Above): Snow will continue sitting over our area with a strong influence of blowing snow, winds will be blowing out of the east to southeast around the low pressure system sitting off to our south. Moderate to heavy snow will continue over the southeast and south central part of Manitoba until about shortly after midnight when light snowfall will occur as the system begins to move southeast. Temperatures will likely drop into the mid to high minus single digits (-5C to -9C), with the exceptions of the parklands seeing low temperatures drop again into the minus low teens (-10 to -12C).

Sunday: Light snow will continue for the first half of the day with winds shifting out of the northeast, blowing snow will likely die out by the afternoon. Right now there's not a lot of signals for blowing snow as it was on Saturday. The low pressure system as I mentioned will begin moving further off into Minnesota. Temperatures will likely see values in the low to mid minus single digits (-3C to -7C).

Sunday Night: Calmer weather will likely envelope the region and it is good news because this system will have had some significant impacts. Colder weather will likely arrive on the backside as winds shift out of the north. Areas in southwestern Manitoba will likely see some very cold air on the backside with temperatures dropping into the minus low 20's, windchills may sit around the -30C mark. Areas further east will see lows in the high minus single digits (-6C to -8C) and some patch areas in the east in the low minus teens (-10 to -12C). 

STORM TOTALS:  Areas north of the trans canada highway will see 5 to 10cm, further south you go there will be higher amounts. Heavier impacts will be felt in the western half of Manitoba where the parklands and westman to lake Manitoba will see a general 15 to 20cm, areas just past Gladstone a general 10 to 15cm will be likely that also includes areas of the red river valley. As you go south into the Duck mountains and Peace Gardens along the american border in SW Manitoba towards the american border in the red river valley 20 to 25cm of snow will likely occur there. Amounts could change so all the details of this may not be accurate. Higher amounts are possible. See photo at the top for information, or you can check www.spotwx.com to find out your specific point of interest for snowfall totals. 

The week ahead: Clear signals are in place for the mild weather to continue with high temperatures in the low to mid minus single digits, overnight lows as expected a little colder than expected with lows in the minus teens. Signs are that there will be no significant cold blasts of arctic air in the next 1-2 weeks. Blogs from now on will be posted at the beginning and end of every week. Fridays Wednesday and Monday unless my schedule becomes busier than average. I’ll keep you in the loop on any eventful weather that occurs.