Environment Canada reports snowstorms are expected in southeastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba on Tuesday night, with snow in northwestern Ontario expected to start Wednesday morning and continue Thursday through Friday morning. Natalie Hasell, Canada’s environmental and climate alert meteorologist, issued a briefing on Tuesday ahead of heavy snow and winds that are expected to cause major travel and power outages, as well as possible school closures. Here is what you can expect:
Until late Tuesday. night: Prepare for snowfall
Snow will fall near the U.S. border in southeastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba late Tuesday night. Northwest Ontario could also see some snow as early as Tuesday night. Hassel urged people in those southern areas of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to take any supplies they may need on Tuesday, including prescription drugs and food and water for at least three days. Information on emergency kits and emergency plans for households can be found on the federal government’s Get Prepared website.
Early Wed .: The storm is evolving, gusts of wind are expected
During the night until the early hours of Wednesday morning, “heavy snowstorm conditions” will develop as the storm will move north to the Parkland and Interlake areas of Manitoba, as well as areas east of Lake Winnipeg. The snow will be accompanied by strong north winds, with possible gusts of 70 to 90 km / h. This will most likely lead to snowfall and reduced visibility.
Wive. Morning: Travel worries
Temperatures are expected to drop in the southern parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with a potential low of -6 degrees Celsius.
Environment Canada warned motorists that roads in the affected areas could become insidious due to heavy snowfall and low visibility, and said they would have to avoid traveling or expect delays if attempting to travel.
A bus travels to Saskatoon’s Broadway Bridge during an extreme cold warning on December 30, 2021. Another cold is expected in the southeast of the county, accompanied by a huge landfill, starting Tuesday night. (Heywood Yu / The Canadian Press)
Hasell suggested people look at remote work options in the coming days.
The storm will also affect communities outside areas where snowfall warnings have been issued. Although they will likely see less snowfall, “conditions are likely to be difficult”, including the possibility of reduced visibility.
9 a.m. Wed: Possible school closure in Winnipeg
Winnipeg schools will notify parents late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning if they will be open on Wednesday, said Ted Frances, Pembina Trails Head of Education / Principal. All school districts in Winnipeg have canceled school buses for Wednesday and Thursday, but no decision has yet been made to cancel the school. Pembina told CBC Winnipeg that teachers and staff are being advised to take their laptops home on Tuesday and prepare for the possibility of distance learning. If the schools close, it will be the first snow day since April 1997, when a three-day blizzard hit southern Manitoba, leading to what became known as the “flood of the century”. This week’s storm is expected to compete with the massive winter storm that struck southern Manitoba in April 1997, leading to what became known as “the flood of the century.” This aerial photograph shows historic floods in the city of Ste. Agathe, Man., April 30, 1997. (Tom Hanson / The Canadian Press)
During Wed .: A brief suspension
A short break in the storm is expected at some stage on Wednesday, but residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba should not take it as a sign to get out or try to shovel snow from their property. “Do not be fooled. This is just a pause,” Hasell said. “Imagine this as storm surges, when the first wave appears, then there is a short break. Then there is the second wave.”
Wive. afternoon: Closed roads are expected
The trips are expected to become more and more difficult as Wednesday progresses and extensive closures of the highways are expected. Until Wednesday afternoon, travel within cities or communities may become impossible due to snow accumulation and low visibility. CAA Manitoba urges people not to drive on closed roads because roadside assistance crews will not be able to reach them. The agency restores staff from the holidays and places more staff in call centers to ensure there are enough staff to assist trapped drivers.
During Thursday: Heavy snowfall in northwestern Ontario
Hassel says the Colorado low will continue north, bringing “lots of snow and strong winds” to northwestern Ontario on Thursday and Friday.
A resident of Thunder Bay, Ont., Removes snow on March 23 after a winter storm. This week ‘s storm is expected to bring snow to northwestern Ontario from Wednesday morning and will continue from Thursday to Friday morning. (Gord Ellis / CBC)
There is also a possibility of icy rain in the areas around the border with Manitoba. The winds will continue, although they may be less strong than earlier in the week.
Wive. to Fri .: Possible power outages
Environment Canada and hydroelectric companies say people need to be prepared for power outages as the storm passes. Some Manitoba stores ran out of generators earlier in the week as people prepared their homes for the storm. CLOCKS People rush to stock up before spring blizzard hits Manitoba:
Preparing for a spring blizzard
The big spring blizzard heading to southern Manitoba this week has people flocking to stores before the storm hits. 1:44
Manitoba Hydro has put all the staff in the storm zone – from first-line hydroelectric workers to techies and IT workers – on notice that they may be needed.
Bruce Owen, Manitoba Hydro’s media relations manager, says there are plans for Rapid Winnipeg crew deployment in particularly affected areas.
For tips on how to prepare for a shutdown, visit Manitoba Hydro, SaskPower, or Synergy North.
Fri. and Sat .: Calmer conditions
By Friday morning, a total of 30 to 50 centimeters of snow is expected in southern Manitoba, although it is possible up to 80 centimeters in some areas with higher altitudes, says Environment Canada. Snow and winds are expected to drop in Winnipeg on Friday, but once the storm reaches the Great Lakes, it is expected to shift north – something that could affect areas in northeastern Manitoba. Temperatures in Manitoba are expected to remain below normal for several days and snow and ice could continue to cause problems for drivers. Environment Canada says the storm clean-up is likely to take until next week.
