We're waking up Friday morning to another day of impacts from that Colorado low that continues to linger in our region.
"To say this system has been a bit stubborn would be an understatement," said CMOS Accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner with a chuckle Friday morning. "The centre of this low remains nearly stationary over the Minnesota and Wisconsin area, and continues produce snowfall that's coming our way east to west. We are expecting the system to weaken further today, and finally begin to move out of our broadast area, but that's not before one more day of snowfall and blowing snow."
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On your Sun Valley Tire Road Report, as of 6:28 a.m. Friday all highways have reopened in the region, and are reported as ice and snow covered with reduced visibility in blowing and drifting snow.
A Blowing Snow Advisory remains in effect for the Killarney, Pilot Mound, Manitou, Morden, Carman, Winkler, Altona and Morris regions. Poor visibility in snow and blowing snow is expected to continue in these regions, especially as you near the International border. The snow, gusty winds and poor visibility may be intermittent at times, but is expected to be an issue well into Friday afternoon. Blowing Snow Advisories are issued when When blowing snow, caused by winds of at least 30 km/h, is expected to reduce visibility to 800 metres or less for at least 3 hours.
A Special Weather Statement remains in effect for most of Southern Manitoba, with an additional 2 to 5cms of snow, possibly more in some locations, along with gusty northerly winds up to 60 km/h, likely from now to Saturday morning.
"We're expecting light on again off again snowfall throughout a good portion of Friday, as additional bans spin off the storm that's been impacting the region since Tuesday night," he said. "With temperatures falling back to seasonal today, around -8 to -10, that will help lead to a transition from a heavy, wet snow to a drier, lighter form. That means, the gusty winds we're expecting will have a much easier time blowing that around, leading to a higher probability of reduced visibility, especially in open areas."
Sumner noted conditions will improve Saturday, with much colder weather on the way next week as an area of bitterly cold air moves into the region.
"We're still likely to see breezy conditions for much of Saturday, gusts between 40 and 50 km/h, so some blowing snow will still be a possibility," he said. "Any remaining flurries associated with this system should taper off before noon, and we may even get a peek of sunshine in the afternoon as temperatures continue to slide downward ahead of the arrival of a very cold Arctic airmass. A deep trough in the jet stream will allow this air to settle in in the Monday/Tuesday range next week, and then the forecast models are indicating it may remain until Christmas. Highs by Tuesday could be in the -21 to -24 range, with overnight lows in the -30s."
Sumner pointed out, on the sunny side, the arrival of the airmass will literally bring the sunshine back to the region, with the area of high pressure clearing things out, and bringing back several days of sunshine.