Environment and Climate Change Canada’s senior climatologist says he believes the storm system hitting Manitoba will serve as more of a reminder that winter is coming, rather than a significant snowfall event.
David Phillips told 680 CJOB’s The Start that Winnipeg could get a first glimpse of the season Wednesday, with the city forecasted to get around five centimetres of snow late in the day and into Thursday.
Yet that snow isn’t likely to last.
“The ground is still very warm,” Phillips said on Wednesday.
“We had temperatures there of 10 degrees C for a high on Monday, six degrees yesterday, and even over the next couple of days, the temperature’s going to stay above the freezing mark — two or three degrees, which is still below normal, but still warm.
“So when that snow falls, it’s going to melt.”
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A snowfall warning is in place for western and parts of south-central Manitoba — not including Winnipeg — where 10 to 20 centimetres of snow could fall within 12 hours, meeting the criteria for a warning.
A second round of snow, Phillips said, could target more of the Red River Valley late Thursday into Friday.
So far, Phillips said, heading into next month and into the winter ahead, things are looking fairly typical for the season.
“November looks — and I know it sounds blasé — but we’re calling for it to be a normal kind of a month,” he said.
“Until that El Niño kicks in really well and it turns out to be a milder than normal winter, but my sense is it’s not going to be January-cold.”
Manitoba’s transportation minister said Wednesday that snow removal crews are ready to clear highways if the snow falls as forecast.
“Crews are monitoring highway conditions and will deploy as needed,” said Lisa Naylor in a release.
“As we head into the winter season, we look forward to diligently helping Manitobans navigate roads and highways safely.”
Naylor said the province has a fleet of around 340 truck plows, motor graders and de-icing equipment, and that crews will tackle road-clearing as needed.
Road conditions throughout Manitoba are available by calling 511 toll-free or visiting manitoba511.ca.