After an extended period of well above average temperatures for this time of year and daytime highs consistently 5 to 7 degrees warmer than usual over the past two weeks, a significant pattern change to colder temperatures and the first shot of accumulating snow may be coming this week for southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Ahead of what could be a snowy end to the week, a Special Weather Statement has been issued for all of southern Manitoba. Forecasters are now predicting a snowfall event mid to late week in our region, but it remains too early to nail down amounts and exact locations at this time.
Get the latest forecast and weather watches and/or warnings here.
"The mild fall weather will come to an abrupt end this week across the Prairies as a cold front slumping southward gives showers and ushers in the first Arctic air of the season," indicated Environment Canada in the Statement. "Highs will drop to the single digits through much of the week before colder air moves in the late week, with temperatures in the -5 to -10 degree range likely by the weekend and into Halloween."
The colder temperatures will bring accumulating snow to western Saskatchewan late Monday into Tuesday. The area of snow will move across the province on Monday night into Tuesday, and then into western Manitoba on Tuesday into Wednesday.
"General amounts will be in the 5cm range, but may be higher over southwestern Saskatchewan, so this area will have to be closely monitored for potential snowfall warnings as the event nears," noted the forecaster.
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