Manitoba storm remains unpredictable: Environment Canada
Environment Canada says the total amount of snow that has fallen in southern Manitoba is lower than previously forecasted, but notes the province isn’t out of the woods yet as a Colorado low makes its way north.
Natalie Hasell with Environment Canada said as of Wednesday morning, Winnipeg saw between 15 and 20 centimetres of snow before a break occurred. She said the snow is expected to start up again later in the afternoon.
“We'll see more accumulation later today. So, you know, 40 centimetres sounds very reasonable; 50 centimetres is still within the realm of possibility,” Hasell said. “So I wouldn't discount anything yet when it comes to the storm.”
Environment Canada initially predicted Winnipeg could receive between 30 and 50 cm of snow.
The Brandon area, which has been hit hard, remains under blizzard conditions. Environment Canada said the Westman region will be the hardest hit by the snow. Hasell said shortly after noon, the Brandon airport reported wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour and visibility of up to 200 metres.
“We’re not expecting the break to get very far west,” she said.
She added, “The improvement that the rest of the province will see is timed for about the same for the southwestern corner. So, it's not much of a difference. Really, maybe in some ways it's worse because we were expecting larger amounts of precipitation in parts of the southwestern corner, and they're not going to see this gap. So they don't get a break.”
Lighter snow will continue to fall overnight and throughout Thursday in Winnipeg and southeastern Manitoba, finally tapering off Friday morning as the system begins to push further east into northwestern Ontario.
FORECAST CALLS FOR SLOW MELT, WILL NOT HAVE BIG IMPACT ON RUNOFF
Though more snow is in the forecast, colder temperatures will avoid significant runoff.
"The best thing that can happen is we have a slow melt and that is what the forecast is calling for," said Doyle Piwnuik, minister of transportation and infrastructure.
"This snowfall is supposed to happen now, but the bright side about it is it's not supposed to melt until possibly Tuesday when we actually get a positive temperature and it is going to be a slow melt. That is the best conditions that we can hope for because the fact is the rivers will come down in the next week."
The province said due to the slow melt, the snowfall will not have an immediate or significant impact on runoff. The province said runoff forecasts will be updated and published once it knows the extent and magnitude of the snowfall.
-With files from Jill Macyshon
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.