Snow's a-comin': Warnings issued for Winnipeg, other areas
CBC News | Posted: December 15, 2015 1:06 PM | Last Updated: December 15, 2015
Some 10-20 centimetres of the fluffy stuff could be landing in Winnipeg and many other places
If you were hoping for a white Christmas in southern Manitoba, your wish is about to come true.
Some 10-20 centimetres of the fluffy stuff could be landing in Winnipeg and many other places, thanks to a weather system known as a Colorado low.
The storm system will start moving into the province Tuesday night, bringing snow and colder temperatures starting around midnight.
Environment Canada has issued alerts for most of southern and east-central Manitoba. Several areas, including Winnipeg, are under a snowfall alert while other places are under a special weather statement.
"Moderate to heavy snow will build into the region between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., with significant accumulations nearing 10 cm likely by noon, according to Environment Canada.
"Snow will continue falling through the afternoon, but likely be lighter than the morning. A further four to eight centimetres are possible through the afternoon. Light snow will continue overnight with lesser accumulations."
CBC meteorologist John Sauder said the wind could be a big issue and expect some school bus cancellations by Thursday morning in rural areas.
"While the snow will be falling through Wednesday, the real problems begin when the wind picks up in the evening hours," Sauder said. "On Thursday, there won't be much snow falling but the blowing snow will cause major issues for highway travelers."
The heaviest snowfall is likely to happen along a line extending northeastward from Pilot Mound through Winnipeg towards Bissett.
In the wake of this system, brisk northwesterly winds will sweep in, causing visibility problems on highways and bringing colder temperatures than Manitobans have become accustomed to during this milder-than-usual December.
Instead of being around –1 C, daytime highs will slide closer to the normal of –10 C for the latter portion of the week.
Winnipeg forecast for Tuesday
- Mainly cloudy, high –5 C.
- Northeast winds at 20 km/h in morning.
- Winds slow to 10-15 km/h in afternoon.
- TONIGHT cloudy.
- 30 per cent chance of flurries in evening.
- Snow at times heavy beginning near midnight.
- Overnight low –7 C.
City of Winnipeg gets ready
City snow crews are on standby and ready to hit the streets.
"Crews are monitoring road conditions and will apply winter ice control materials to improve traction, and provide truck plowing services, where warranted," states a news release from the city.
- Parking ban
The annual snow route parking ban is in effect, meaning parking is prohibited between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on streets displaying Snow Route signs.
- Stay back, stay safe
Drivers are urged to drive to road conditions, and to use extreme caution when driving near any snow clearing equipment or sanding trucks.
- Parking ban notification
The City offers free email and Twitter notifications for when residential parking bans go into effect. These bans are separate from the snow route bans.
People are advised to check the City of Winnipeg website and find their neighbourhood zone, so they know when the plows are going through.
Vehicles parked between 11 p.m.and 6 a.m. could get tagged with a $150 ticket. Tow trucks might also be brought in to move vehicles to nearby streets, out of the way of snow-clearing operations, the city said.
Although the city is not allowed to ticket outside of the 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. time slot, people are urged to keep vehicles off the streets being plowed so the crews can do a thorough job.
To sign up for parking ban notifications, go to the city's website, or contact 311 by phone or by email: 311@winnipeg.ca