Powerful winds and heavy snow will make for treacherous driving conditions across portions of the Prairies heading into Friday.
In some areas, wind gusts could reach 100 km/h, which may cause reduced visibility with the combination of blowing snow. Widespread winter warnings are in effect across the Prairies.
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A swath of heavy snow is forecast as the low pressure system tracks across the northern Prairies, bringing 10-20 cm to some of the harder-hit areas through Friday.
PR weather advisories Jan 17
“Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions,” says Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in a blowing snow advisory issued for central Saskatchewan. “Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.”
A temperature rollercoaster continues on the Prairies, but frigid Arctic air will soon dominate during the second half of January. Conditions will turn dangerously cold on the backend of this clipper system, and will rival some of the coldest of the season so far this weekend.
Dangerous travel as powerful winds and snow picks up
A low-pressure system is tracking through the northern Prairies throughout the day Friday.
This will bring a swath of 10-20 cm of snow from northwestern Alberta into Manitoba’s Interlake region through Friday morning. There is still some snow forecast in southern areas along the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead Highways, though with much less accumulations expected.
Blizzard and wind warnings as well as blowing snow advisories have been issued for the intense winds that will cause whiteout conditions for the region.
PR snowfall accumulation Jan 17
The greater risks across the south will be the strong wind gusts, with widespread wind warnings in effect.
Winds pick up on Thursday, peaking in the evening, and remaining gusty into Friday afternoon.
Prairies Friday Morning Snow Wind Gusts
Widespread strong gusts between 60-80 km/h are forecast, and up to 90 km/h along the southern foothills and Cypress Hills area.
“The combination of strong wind and snow may cause poor visibility in some areas due to blowing snow,” ECCC warns.
While there may only be a few centimetres of snow forecast to fall, strong winds will cause blowing snows that will create zero visibilty for travelers.
A blizzard warning has been issued for Winnipeg, Man., into the day Friday.
Dangerously cold temperatures settle in
Cold temperatures that will rival some of the coldest of the season will then move in for the weekend, as Arctic air plunges south, and spreads east across the region.
PR forecast Sunday Jan 17
Severe and dangerously cold conditions are expected, with temperatures as much as 10 to 20°C colder than seasonal through early next week.
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Much milder Pacific air will spread east at times during the final days of January, but reinforcing shots of Arctic air will keep the milder periods brief.
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Thumbnail image courtesy: Chris Dawson