In an updated storm watch notice on Monday, the weather agency said widespread snowfall of 30-50 centimetres is expected, along with north winds gusting from 70-90 km/h, giving zero visibility at times.
CBC Manitoba meteorologist John Sauder says Winnipeg might get lucky and see slightly lesser amounts, around 24-45 cm.
To put that into context, though, Winnipeg typically averages 127 cm of snow over the course of a winter, so 45 cm would be nearly one-third of an entire season’s worth of snow.
“This one will rival the storm back in 1997, when Winnipeg picked up 48 cm of snow,” Sauder said. “Sometimes I use the term ‘city-paralyzing storm’ and I think this has potential to be that.
“So yeah, this could be one those storms where we see the city kind of shut down and stores closing. Highway travel? Absolutely forget it.”
Much higher amounts, possibly approaching 80 cm, could be seen in the higher terrain of western Manitoba and the western Red River Valley, Environment Canada’s storm watch said.
Although things should ease up through Good Friday, temperatures won’t be warm enough to start melting the heap of snow. A high of -5 C is forecast for Friday and -1 on Saturday. The normal daytime high for this time of year is 9 C.
“But by that time, I think things will start to open up, as far as the plowing operations go,” Sauder said. “It’ll take a couple of days, but perhaps by Sunday we’ll be back into some travelling.”
If it’s any consolation, having a storm around this time of year isn’t unusual. Last year, on April 12-13, Winnipeg was hit with 23 cm of snow, Sauder said.
“We got through that OK. That one didn’t accompany a whole lot of wind, but still.”
The system, a Colorado low, is on track to hit the province starting Tuesday night and last through to Friday before it heads into northwestern Ontario.
It will begin near the U.S. border Tuesday night as the system moves toward Minnesota, and continue to push northward.
By Wednesday morning there will be heavy snow falling from southeastern Saskatchewan through most of southern Manitoba, Environment Canada forecasts.
“Travel will become increasingly difficult as the day progresses Wednesday, with widespread highway closures a near-certainty,” Environment Canada’s weather alert states.
“By Wednesday evening even travel within communities may become impossible as the heavy snow and strong winds continue. And more of the same is expected on Thursday.”
Forecast storm position as of 7 am Wed Apr 13 via Canadian RDPS model. Strong low moving into central Minnesota with snow spreading into srn MB from the south. Snow expected to start in Winnipeg Wed am. Storm forecast to move slowly over nrn MN thru Thu before heading east pic.twitter.com/8SCNjBeEW8
—@robsobs
Do not plan to travel and stock up on needed supplies and medications now, the alert says.
“This storm has the potential to be the worst blizzard in decades,” it says.
Power outages are likely and rural areas in particular should be prepared for extended outages.
Conditions should begin to improve on Friday as the winds taper off and the heaviest snow moves east, “although the cleanup after this storm will likely last well into next week,” Environment Canada says.
title: “Manitoba Storm Could Be Worst Blizzard In Decades Environment Canada Says " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-16” author: “Sarah Callahan”
In an updated storm announcement on Monday, the meteorological service said that an extensive snowfall of 30-50 cm is expected, along with north winds blowing from 70-90 km / h, giving occasional zero visibility.
Do not plan to travel and get the necessary supplies and medicines now, says the weather warning from Environment Canada.
“This storm has the potential to be the worst blizzard in decades.”
CBC Manitoba meteorologist John Sauder says Winnipeg can stand lucky and see slightly smaller quantities, about 24-45 cm.
To put that in perspective, however, Winnipeg has an average of 127 cm of snow during a winter, so 45 cm would be almost a third of the snow of an entire season.
The biggest single blizzard this winter was 20 cm, on December 27th.
“She will be competing in the storm in 1997, when Winnipeg collected 48 cm of snow,” Sauder said. “Sometimes I use the term ‘storm that paralyzes the city’ and I think that could be it.
“Well, yes, this could be one of those storms where we see the city closing and the shops closing. A trip to the freeway? Forget it altogether.”
Thunderstorm location forecast from 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13 via Canadian RDPS model. Strong low is moving towards downtown Minnesota with snow spreading to srn MB from the south. Snow is expected to start in Winnipeg Wednesday morning. Thunderstorm forecast will move slowly over NN MN until Thursday before heading east pic.twitter.com/8SCNjBeEW8
– @ robsobs
Much higher levels, possibly close to 80cm, could be seen in the higher ground of western Manitoba and the western Red River Valley, according to Environment Canada.
Although things should relax by Good Friday, temperatures will not be hot enough to begin melting the snow pile. Higher temperature is forecast -5 degrees for Friday and -1 for Saturday. The normal daily high for this time of year is 9 C.
“But until then, I think things will start to open up when it comes to plowing companies,” Sauder said. “It will take a few days, but maybe by Sunday we will be back on some trips.”
If it is a consolation, it is not uncommon to have a storm at this time of year. Last year, on April 12-13, Winnipeg was hit by 23 cm of snow, Sauder said.
“We had a good time. That did not accompany much wind, but still.”
The system, a low-lying Colorado, is well on its way to hitting the county Tuesday night and will run until Friday before heading to northwestern Ontario.
It will start near the US border on Tuesday night as the system moves to Minnesota and continues to push north.
Heavy snowfall will fall from southeastern Saskatchewan to much of southern Manitoba by Wednesday morning, according to Environment Canada forecasts.
“Travel will become increasingly difficult as Wednesday progresses, with extensive highway closures almost certain,” the Environment Canada weather warning said.
“Until Wednesday afternoon, even movement within the communities may be impossible as heavy snow and strong winds continue. And more of the same is expected on Thursday.”
As of April 10, Winnipeg has had 174cm of snow so far this winter. With the upcoming pic.twitter. com / 1eq3VA8HRn
– @ robsobs
Power outages are possible and rural areas should be prepared for extended outages.
Conditions will begin to improve on Friday as winds recede and heavier snow moves east, “although clearing after this storm is likely to take a long time next week,” says Environment Canada.
What it means for possible floods has not yet been addressed.
In 1997, the Red River Valley was saturated – with heavy rainfall in the fall of 1996 and a long, cold winter with four blizzards – and could not absorb the melt.
This winter was equally long and cold and was marked by multiple snowstorm warnings, but this time, the fall was extremely dry from a summer drought.
Regardless, melting from the upcoming storm will increase the potential for flooding, Sauder said.
Heavy snowfall is also expected in North Dakota.
“And all of that will feed into the Red River and flow in that direction,” Sander said. “So I think after this nice slow melt that we enjoyed, it will make a difference.”
