Winter weather blasts back into Manitoba with snowfall warnings
Highest snow amounts — up to 30 cm — expected in western Parklands and east-central Manitoba
A winter reluctant to take its leave has returned to Manitoba once again like a bad party guest.
A sudden blast of snow across parts of the province's south and central regions on Monday has blanketed what had been greening lawns and flower beds with emerging sprouts.
The conditions have also impacted driving. Manitoba RCMP posted on social media that they are responding to a number of crashes on the Trans-Canada Highway due to slippery pavement and poor visibility.
Police urge drivers to slow down.
A snowfall warning covers the midsection of the province, cloaking the Interlake region and areas on both sides of Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipegosis and Lake Winnipeg.
I mowed that lawn; yesterday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Winnipeg?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Winnipeg</a> <a href="https://t.co/tDjjcLcmbz">pic.twitter.com/tDjjcLcmbz</a>
—@MterlinskiIt also dips a bit into the Whiteshell in the southeast.
Environment Canada says a low pressure system is stalled over northwestern Ontario and spreading heavy snow westward into Manitoba.
There is still some uncertainty about how much snow is expected as the system is likely to linger into early Wednesday, the weather agency said.
Total accumulations will vary across the warning region but the highest amounts are expected in the western Parklands into east-central Manitoba.
Regions in that swath could see up to 30 centimetres while most other areas can expect 15-25 cm, Environment Canada's alert says.
Winnipeg and areas closer to the international border were not initially included in the warning but it doesn't mean they are totally in the clear.
And the warning area could be expanded as the system progresses, Environment Canada says.
After 11 consecutive days of double-digit temperatures, Winnipeg is expected to see a high of zero on Monday and a wind chill making it feel more like –10.
The city will likely see about five centimetres of snow and also need to brace against chilly wind gusts from the north that could reach 50 km/h.
Blowing snow will continue in Winnipeg on Tuesday with another five centimetres expected, Environment Canada says.
The cloud and cold is expected to continue on Wednesday with a high of –1 C, but snow is not part of the forecast.
The normal daytime high for this time of year is 10 C but southern Manitoba won't reach that again until the weekend.
Weather impacts health services
Aside from impacting patio plans, the weather is affecting health services around the province, including vaccine appointments.
The provincial government issued a news release on Monday afternoon, urging people to be safe and reschedule their COVID-19 vaccination appointments if driving conditions are too hazardous.
That can be done online at or by calling the provincial call centre at 1-844-626-8222.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is also advising people that community health services — home care in particular — may be affected over the next few days.
"Every effort will be made to maintain existing schedules. However, some weather-related delays or cancellations may be inevitable," a news release stated.
"Clients whose visits will be postponed or cancelled can expect to be contacted by phone and notified of the change."
Anyone wishing to cancel or postpone visits can contact their case coordinator or nurse, or the after-hours service line at 204-788-8331, the WRHA said.