Snow hits Westman area, Interlake amid blizzard, winter storm warnings for parts of Manitoba
CBC News | Posted: March 3, 2024 5:31 PM | Last Updated: March 3
Up to 40 cm of snow expected in Westman, nearly 30 cm could hit north of Interlake: Environment Canada
Parts of Manitoba are being hit with heavy snow or blowing snow on Sunday as much of the province is under winter storm, blizzard, freezing rain and snowfall warnings.
"It's quite the wintry mix that's being given to us on Sunday," said Justin Share, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.
Between 20 to 40 centimetres of snow is expected in the Westman area, with blowing snow creating high snow drifts or bare patches in some areas. Snow will ease up in the area by supper time with strong winds lasting into the night, Share said.
North of the Interlake is expected to get 15 to nearly 30 centimetres of snowfall, which will also start easing up in the evening. Gimli is seeing a fair amount of snow Sunday morning, Share added.
Share said the hardest-hit areas will be Duck Mountain around Russell, which could see from 35 up to 50 centimetres of snow.
Riding Mountain could expect similar amounts of snowfall as a low pressure system from south of the border moves northeast from Dauphin toward Berens River.
Snowfall warnings are in effect through central Manitoba, with areas in the region expected to see between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow starting in the evening.
Winnipeg might only see freezing rain or drizzle on Sunday.
By Monday morning, most of the heavy snow will have been pushed out toward northern Manitoba into northwest Ontario, said Share. Temperatures are expected to plunge tomorrow night but rebound by the weekend with warmer weather.
Share said Manitobans should postpone non-essential travel and stay updated on the latest conditions.
"If you have to travel, just take your time," he said. "There's gonna be some hazardous and slow areas."
As of 8 p.m. multiple highway sections were closed due to poor visibility caused by blowing and heavy snow, including parts of Highway 10, 83, 20, 45, 16, 5, 366, 482 and the Trans-Canada Highway.