5-10cm of snow expected for Louis Riel Monday, with a strong wind

Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate today, Louis Riel Day, as the final in a series of clippers impacts the province. 

Snow began in western Manitoba early this morning, and that area of snowfall is tracking northwesterly to southeasterly through the province. 

Light snow will develop in the Red River Valley and Southeastern areas this morning, with the expectation of 5-10cms in total by the time it tapers off later today. Snowfall rates will pick up as the main area of precipitation arrives, so it won't take long for the region to hit those expected marks. 

Based on the current track of the system, it appears the southeastern corner of Manitoba, along with the Red River Valley, including Winnipeg, will see the most snow from this fast-moving low-pressure system. 

Monday's snowfall will only be part of the story, as gusty northerly winds will develop behind the system, as it passes through, and another round of cold Arctic air rushes into the region. 

Those winds will push toward 60 km/h and are expected to pick up before the snow ends later today, resulting in blowing snow and reduced visibility. 

It's likely we'll have fair to poor visibility, especially in open areas, once the wind kicks in. 

The strongest winds are expected in the western Red River Valley, with only slightly lighter winds east of Highway 75, so expectations are driving conditions in that area will be impacted, too, with both areas on tap for gusty conditions this afternoon and tonight. Southwestern Manitoba will see windy conditions this morning, before diminishing early this afternoon. 

Conditions will improve this evening, as the wind backs off, and then we're in for a stretch of well below average temperatures. 

The coldest conditions are expected Wednesday and Thursday, when highs in the -24 range are likely. Averages for this time of year are -6 daytime and -16 overnight. 

We are expecting a fair amount of sunshine this week to go along with the chilly temperatures. 

From a snowfall perspective, there is a chance we could see flurries Wednesday night into Thursday, and that would be from the far outer edge of a strong winter storm expected to move through parts of the U.S. Plains and Mid-West. At this point, that system is expected to stay well south of us, but it's still something to keep an eye on, because there remains quite a bit of uncertainty regarding its projected track.