Winter storm conditions expected in western Manitoba, weather warnings issued for other parts of the province

Much of Manitoba is preparing for the first winter wallop of the season.

Environment and Climate ChangeCanada has issued a winter storm warning as a strong low-pressure system risesin eastern Saskatchewan on Monday eveningbeforemoving intosouthwestern Manitoba and Parkland areas on Tuesday morning.

Periods of freezing rain are expected to turn into blowing snow as temperatures drop below freezing, and as winds gust up to70 and 80 km/h, which will bring reduced visibility.

An estimated 5 to 15 centimetres of snow are projected but some areas could see between 20 and 40 centimetres of snow amid hazardous winter conditions, the national weather agency says.

The system is expected to taper off by Wednesday evening.

As of Monday afternoon, the winter storm warningis in effect in the following areas:

• Brandon, Neepawa,CarberryandTreherne.
• Dauphin,Russell,Roblinand Winnipegosis.
• Melita,Boissevain and Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
• MinnedosaandRiding Mountain National Park.
• Killarney,Pilot Mound andManitou.
• Ste. Rose,McCreary,AlonsaandGladstone.
• Swan River,Duck Mountain andPorcupine Provincial Forest.
• Virdenand Souris.

A handful of communities still remain under a winter storm watch, including:

• Portage la Prairie, Headingley,BrunkildandCarman.
• Morden,Winkler,AltonaandMorris.

Snowfall warning forareas of northern Manitoba

Northern parts of the province are also expected to receive snow.

The city of Thompson, Split Lake, Nelson House and other nearby communities are bracing for a snowfall warning, according to the national weather agency.

Anestimated 10 to 15 centimetres of snoware projected to fall beginning Tuesday afternoon, with 25 centimetres possible in some areas.

The heaviest snow will ease by Wednesday, with light snow continuing Thursday.

Rain, snow on the way forWinnipeg

The city of Winnipeg isn't expected to be exempt from the impending winter weather that is rolling into the eastern Prairies.

Much of Manitoba's Interlake, along with southern communities including and nearSteinbach, St. Adolphe, Emerson, Vita and Richer are also under Environment and Climate ChangeCanada's special weather statement.

Most areas are forecastto receive 10 to 20 millimetres of rain on Tuesday and precipitation will change into snow as temperatures dip. Up to 5 centimetres of snow could fall in these areas.

Most areas will receive 10 to 20 mm of rain through the day, though locally higher values are possible. There is a small chance that the changeover to snow could happen earlier in the day. If that happens, then up to 5 cm of snow would be possible by the evening, according to the national weather agency.

Accumulations will vary widely across theseregions will vary considerably, froma trace of snow possible to as much as 10 to 20 cm centimetres.