Several winter warnings are in effect across the Prairies, with powerful winds picking up throughout Thursday, and travel conditions expected to deteriorate. In some areas, wind gusts could reach 100 km/h, which may cause reduced visibility with the combination of blowing snow.
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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.
“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 clipper system will track from northern Alberta to south-central Manitoba during the day on Thursday.
Baron – Prairie precipitation Thursday afternoon – Jan15
This will bring a swath of 10-20 cm of snow across northwestern Alberta and 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.
The snow will be slightly convective, so bursts of heavy snow are possible along the cold front, with even the chance for some thundersnow in southern Alberta on Thursday night.
Baron – Prairie snow – Jan16
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.
Baron – Thursday evening winds Prairies – Jan16
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.
Baron – Friday morning winds Prairies – Jan16
A winter storm watch has been issued for Winnipeg, Man., with the risk for blizzard conditions to occur on 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.
Baron – Prairie Sunday temperatures – Jan15
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