Don’t put away your shovels just yet, because a major winter storm is on track to impact Southern Manitoba Monday and Tuesday. Environment Canada has issued Winter Storm Warnings for a large portion of Western Manitoba, as far east as Manitou.

The low pressure system is currently developing in the American Northern Plains, and will move northward through the Dakotas on Monday, then into Southern Manitoba Monday evening.

Current forecast models indicaite a combination of snow and rain will fall in the Melita-Boissevain-Killarney area with potentially up to 10cm's of snow and 5mm's of rain.

Precipitation associated with this system will begin to affect western Manitoba overnight tonight, with freezing rain likely in some areas.  Rain or freezing rain will change to snow during the day Monday as the storm begins to tap into much colder air to the north. Conditions will then deteriorate significantly Monday evening as the system intensifies, bringing colder air, heavy snow and very strong northwesterly winds gusting to 80 km/h to western Manitoba. Blizzard conditions are likely Monday evening in this area.

“The set up for this particular system is a classic example of a later winter storm in Southern Manitoba,” explained CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner. “An intense low pressure system, packing lots of moisture, and depending whether you are north or south of that low, you will receive a lot of snow or moreso rain.”

“It’s important to note there still is some uncertainty regarding the track this storm will take,” added Sumner. “That will have an impact on the type of precipitation, and how much certain areas may receive.”

Sumner encourages all of us not to take this storm lightly, especially seeing how it’s coming so late in the season and the fact it’s been nearly two months since the last major snowstorm impacted the province.

“Take the normal precautions just like you would in the middle of winter like ensuring you have an emergency kit in your vehicle, allowing more time for travel, and potentially changing travel plans if need be.”