According to Environment Canada, an Alberta clipper will be heading through southern Manitoba starting Thursday overnight, bringing with it some intense winter weather and a winter storm watch.
“There is an Alberta clipper coming across the prairies,” says Kyle McAulay, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (EC). “It’s moving through Saskatchewan and into Manitoba, arriving sometime by Thursday evening.”
The amount of snow isn’t high, as EC predicts a millimetre or two over the next 48 hours. However, the winds will be the issue as the system makes its way across Manitoba.
“For the Red River Valley, as the system moves in, we’re going to experience some pretty strong, first southerly winds. This will gradually increase through the evening and overnight. As the system moves through the winds will change to become northwesterly. By Friday morning it’ll be pretty strong winds.”
The temperature overnight will hover around zero degrees Celsius. As the winds shift direction and come from the north, the temperature will drop throughout Friday.
“Winds will be gusting around 80, possibly 90 km/h. There will be some falling snow with the system. With the strong winds and falling snow, it will definitely reduce visibility.”
On top of the winds, as the temperature drops from melting to freezing, roads could also form ice.
“We could see blizzard conditions on Friday. You’ll definitely want to reduce travel on Friday if possible, and try to travel before or after. Temperatures will be dropping too.”
By Friday afternoon the temperature is expected to drop to minus 15 degrees, feeling more like minus 28 with the windchill and a frostbite warning.