April 11th Video Update:
Warnings
4:29 AM CDT Tuesday 12 April 2022 Blizzard warning in effect for areas in red:
Blizzard conditions with gusty winds and persistent visibility near zero in snow and blowing snow are expected or occurring. Major spring blizzard poised to wallop western Manitoba beginning overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning and lasting through to Friday morning. Widespread snowfall accumulations of 30-50 cm accompanied by northerly winds gusting 70-90 km/h giving zero visibility at times in snow and blowing snow. A Colorado low will move towards Minnesota Tuesday night bringing a heavy swath of snow from southeastern Saskatchewan through most of southern Manitoba. The snow will start early Tuesday evening near the International border then push northward throughout the night. By Wednesday morning heavy snow will be falling in much of the area as the storm continues to push northward. Strong northerly winds will develop with this system and persist into Friday morning as the low slowly pivots through Minnesota on it's way into northwestern Ontario. This will lead to widespread blizzard conditions developing tonight into early Wednesday morning.
By Friday morning widespread snowfall accumulations of 30 to 50 cm are expected...with possible accumulations as high as 80 cm possible along terrain features such as the western escarpment of the Red River Valley, the Riding Mountains, and the Turtle Mountains. Travel will become increasingly difficult as the day progresses Wednesday, with widespread highway closures a near-certainty. By Wednesday evening even travel within communities may become impossible as the heavy snow and strong winds continue... and more of the same is expected on Thursday. Do not plan to travel - this storm has the potential to be the worst blizzard in decades. Stock up on needed supplies and medications now. Power outages are likely, rural areas in particular should be prepared for extended outages. Conditions should begin to improve on Friday as the winds taper off and the heaviest snow moves into northern Ontario...although the clean-up after this storm will likely last well into next week. Travel is expected to be extremely hazardous due to reduced visibility. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Road closures are likely. Travel is not recommended. Blizzard warnings are issued when widespread reduced visibilities of 400 metres or less are expected for at least 4 hours. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to MBstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #MBStorm.