Prairies receive FOUR times monthly snowfall, risk for more

Friday, October 7, 2016, 12:11 PM - Snowfall and winter storm warnings have (finally) lifted across the eastern Prairies, but a major blast of winter has left a hefty mark on the region. Some Alberta drivers are still dealing with tricky travel on Friday and all eyes on the next system that could bring a white Thanksgiving to some areas.  

(Viewer-submitted video above captured 200 km southwest of Saskatoon.)

The potent, long-lived storm started with torrential rains earlier this week with over 80 mm reported in central and southwestern parts of Manitoba by Tuesday afternoon. As temperatures plunged towards the freezing mark the rain quickly changed to snow and continued to accumulate across both Saskatchewan and Manitoba through Thursday night.

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In Saskatchewan, the highest amounts fell along a band from Cypress Hills Park northeast through Saskatoon and on to Island Falls, with a few locations seeing more than 40 cm in total.

"Light snow and flurries continue this morning as the last remnants of the system linger over the province, but significant further accumulations are not expected," says Environment Canada in a storm summary released Friday morning.

The City of Saskatoon picked up 30 cm of snow this week, nearly four times its monthly snowfall average for October.

The heavy snow combined with gusty northwest winds created a mess of the roads across the warning areas this week.

Drivers were urged to adjust travel plans, but numerous accidents were still reported, including at least three jackknifed semi-trucks on Saskatchewan highways Thursday morning.

Saskatchewan harvest behind five year average

In addition to significant travel troubles, the early blast of snow has put a hold on harvest for some Saskatchewan producers with about 80 percent of the crop in the bin across the province. According to Thursday's crop report, the harvest is slightly behind the five year average of 86 percent combined. West-central Saskatchewan is the furthest behind at 73 percent, the CBC reports.

Strong winds and heavy rain over the last couple of weeks already caused damage to some crops, resulting in yield and quality loss.

Manitoba picks up even HEAVIER snow

The first winter storm warnings of the season were handed out to parts of northern Manitoba this week as the system dumped 50+ cm of snow on the region.

"The heaviest axis of snowfall fell north of Thompson and between Lynn Lake and Flin Flon, with a couple reports of 50 cm or more in this band," EC says.

In the northwestern town of Leaf Rapids, as much as 60 cm of snow fell with this system.

Reduced visibility in southern Alberta Friday

Drivers in southern Alberta continued to deal with difficult travel on Friday morning as a band of snow swept through during rush hour.

"The biggest concern is reduced visibility as the quick band of snow and gusty winds blow through," says Weather Network meteorologist Matt Grinter.

Dreaming of a white Thanksgiving, Alberta?

"The false start to winter continues for the Prairies this weekend," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham. "Another system is expected to bring snow to southern Alberta later Sunday, continuing through the night and into Thanksgiving. Significant snow is expected in the mountains west of Calgary, south to the Canadian border."

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Light to moderate accumulations are expected even across the lower elevations of Alberta, especially from Calgary south to the Canadian/U.S. border.

"We will be closely watching this through the weekend," Gillham says. "Not a high confidence forecast yet, but some models have significant accumulations."

Parts of central and northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba could pick up another few centimetres of snow with this system as well.