Enjoy today's drizzle, clouds — things about to get much worse in Manitoba

Winnipeg starts out warm Tuesday but the temperature is only going down throughout a drizzly, cloudy day.

That doesn't sound like the most appealing forecast, but consider this — it'll be the best day for the foreseeable future.

Environment Canada has issued two special weather statements about the drastic change that will bring an abrupt end to the mild November temperatures.

• 'Winter is coming' to southern Manitoba, Environment Canada says

Heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds start arriving on Wednesday, dropping overnight lows into the minus double digits. Blowing snow will reduce visibility and snow squalls are expected around the lakes.

Snowfall amounts of 5-15 centimetres are possible over west-central Manitoba by Thursday morning, with 10-15 cm for the Thompson and Norway House area and even greater amounts over the Gillam area.

Further south, northwesterly winds are expected to gust to 90 km/h, causing poor visibility in swirling flurries. The snowfall amounts aren't expected to be significant, though — maybe enough to make the ground white with a thin layer.

Winnipeg forecast

• High 9 C in morning, falling to 4 C in afternoon.
• Periods of drizzle end this morning, then cloudy.
• Wind southwest 20 km/h becoming northwest, gusting to 40 km/h.
• TONIGHT clouds clear away.
• Overnight low –1 C.