Blowing snow, difficult travel expected from howling winds on the Prairies
A clipper will bring snow and powerful winds to the Prairies Wednesday, followed a considerable temperature plunge.
The Prairies will soon see temperatures fall back to Earth this week, as a blast of Arctic air will send daytime highs plummeting. Along with the incoming shot of cold air will be snow and howling winds. A clipper tracking through Wednesday will yield widespread wind gusts in the 70-90 km/h range, along with heavy snow for northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where 15-25 cm is expected. While the southern areas of the aformentioned provinces will see much less accumulations, the winds will be enough to create difficult travel as a result of whiteout conditions. More details on the snow timing and the cooler conditions that follow, below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Strong winds develop overnight Tuesday in Saskatchewan, spreads into Manitoba Wednesday morning
70-90 km/h wind gusts, whiteout conditions possible
Arctic air finally returns to western Prairies late next week
WEDNESDAY: BLUSTERY WINDS, SNOW COULD MAKE FOR TRICKY TRAVEL
Effects of the second clipper this week will be in full swing Wednesday morning across Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The system won't bring too much snow to southern areas of the provinces, with 5-10 cm of snow across most areas, but the northern sections are in for a hefty dose -- 15-25 cm expected to fall. Snowfall warnings are in effect for both provinces.
With this system, the winds will be quite strong. Blustery, northwesterly winds gusting from 70-90 km/h will develop Tuesday overnight in western Saskatchewan and move east. The strong wind gusts will arrive in southwestern Manitoba by Wednesday morning. Numerous wind warnings are in place.
These winds will likely create blowing and drifting snow, which will likely create difficult travel across the regions.
Winds are expected to wind down in Saskatchewan by Wednesday afternoon and Manitoba in the evening hours. Snow will taper off to a few flurries in the afternoon in both provinces.
For those in the Winnipeg area, Wednesday will be the one day in a sea of frigid daytime highs, where you'll want to get out and enjoy some milder conditions.
ARCTIC AIR BEGINS TO SINK SOUTH
Winter finally returns to the region this week with an extended period of near to below seasonal temperatures expected, starting late this week. However, at this point we do not expect anything remarkably cold for this region.
Temperatures will remain frigid for the final week of January, especially for Alberta.
"The city of Edmonton, Alberta for example, will start the week 10°C above seasonal, and finish it 10°C below," says Weather Network meteorologist Kevin MacKay.
A few cm of snow is possible Sunday night and Monday across central Alberta, including Edmonton. Watching the potential for temperatures to rebound for several days late next week, but colder weather should return again for February.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates.
