A special weather statement is in effect for the Parkland, with Environment Canada predicting a period of “active spring weather” over the next few days.
A low pressure system over the central prairies is expected to bring strong winds, heavy snow, blowing snow and patchy freezing rain beginning overnight Sunday, and lasting into Tuesday evening.
A sharp drop in temperature is expected — from the mid to upper teens on Monday afternoon, falling into the minus teens by evening and overnight.
Parts of Manitoba may experience severe winds on Monday afternoon with gusts as high as 90 km/h.
Further east, into the Red River Valley and Interlake, winds will still be strong, with gusts to 70 or 80 km/h likely.
The cold front may bring moderate to heavy flurry activity or snow squalls, some of which may start out as rain showers before switching over to snow as temperatures plummet.
Local snowfall amounts across the south will be in the 2 to 4 cm range while heavier snow is likely across the central Interlake where 5 to 10 cm will be possible. The heaviest snow will track from east of Lake Winnipeg northwards into central and northern Manitoba, where Winter Storm Watches are in effect.
Blowing snow will reduce visibilities to near zero at times in heavy flurry activity so travel will be particularly hazardous late Monday into Monday night and Tuesday.
Conditions are expected to improve on Tuesday evening as the low pressure system pulls off into Ontario.
