10-20 cm of snow, ice and thunderstorms: Messy weekend in Manitoba, NW Ontario
A wintry mix is sweeping across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario this weekend, bringing a combination of snow, freezing rain, and even thunderstorms. Brace for slippery road conditions and reduced visibility at times
Weather alerts are widespread across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario as an ugly mess of snow, wind, and freezing rain take aim heading into the weekend. Some of the harder-hit areas along the border could pick up 10-20 cm of snow.
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Travel disruptions are likely, especially with the snow and powerful winds, so take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas, and be sure to plan ahead. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.
Friday night through Saturday: Travel deteriorates as heavy snow, freezing rain pick up
A large Colorado low will track northward into southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, with the messy weather forecast to start as early as Friday evening.
A clash of warm and cold air is expected, bringing a mix of rain, ice and snow to both regions.
A band of heavy snow is forecast to fall along the Manitoba and Ontario border, with as much as 10-20 cm possible into Saturday. This band will be very thin and localized, but will certainly have higher travel impacts.
Beware of slick conditions with freezing rain threat on Saturday
A wintry mix will divide areas that see the heavy snow versus rainfall.
There will be a heightened risk for freezing rain from southern Manitoba through to northern Ontario, with slippery conditions expected if it persists for several hours.
Where temperatures rise above the freezing mark, lower ice accumulations are expected.
Meanwhile, rainfall is expected for Thunder Bay, while a wintry mix is expected for Kenora and regions northwest of the storm track.
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With the rain that is forecast in northwestern Ontario, embedded thunderstorms are also possible on Friday and early Saturday.
Powerful winds peak Saturday afternoon
Gusty winds will be a factor throughout the event, potentially exceeding 70 km/h, making travel quite difficult throughout the storm.
The winds will become stronger Friday overnight and peak on Saturday afternoon.
There is still some uncertainty with precipitation timing and type, and also the transition between precipitation types, as these details are dependent on nailing down an exact storm track. Confidence remains low on snowfall amounts projected across southern Manitoba, so be sure to continue to check back for updates.
Conditions will rapidly improve early Sunday as the low lifts towards Hudson Bay.
Stay with The Weather Network for your latest forecast across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario.