It appears winter hasn’t gotten the spring memo, as Manitoba and Saskatchewan are bracing for a blizzard this week.
A winter storm watch is in effect for southern Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan, with snowfall accumulations of 30 to 50 centimetres expected mid-week, along with northerly wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour, said Environment Canada on Monday.
“Do not plan to travel — this storm has the potential to be the worst blizzard in decades,” the agency warns.
The storm is expected to start Tuesday night, as a Colorado low pressure system moving toward Minnesota will bring a “heavy swath of snow” from southeastern Saskatchewan through most of southern Manitoba.
Snow will start to fall early in the evening near the U.S. border and move north overnight. Blowing snow and high winds will cause zero visibility and whiteout conditions, making driving treacherous.
“Travel will become increasingly difficult as the day progresses Wednesday, with widespread highway closures a near-certainty. By Wednesday evening even travel within communities may become impossible as the heavy snow and strong winds continue,”
reads the information on Environment Canada’s website.
By Friday morning, the affected regions could see snowfall accumulations between 30 to 50 centimetres, with possible accumulations
approaching 80 centimetres in the higher regions of western Manitoba and the western Red River Valley.
The weather should start to improve on Friday, as the system will begin making its way toward northern Ontario.
With any aftermath of a storm, cleanup should continue well into next week.
Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.