Temperatures will rebound in Winnipeg on Saturday as a low brings light snow to the region. Things will take a turn for Sunday, though, as bitterly cold Arctic air plunges into the region as the low exits the area.

It will be a pleasant winter day in Winnipeg today with a bit of morning snow followed by mixed skies. Temperatures will sit near seasonal values with a high near -11 °C and light winds as a trough weakens over the region.

A compact low pressure system will head slide through northern Alberta today and across central Saskatchewan tonight. As it approaches Manitoba tonight, it will spread more cloud cover into the region and strengthen southerly winds into the 20–30 km/h range. Temperatures will dip to a low around -15 °C.

The low will cross Manitoba on Saturday, bringing a bit of snow to the region and milder temperatures. Winnipeg will see a high around -7 °C as the southerly winds ease into the 15–25 km/h midday and shift towards the northwest through the afternoon. This will also be the best chance for snow; once the warm-sector trough passes, snow is more likely as colder air starts pushing into the region. There’s a bit of disagreement amongst forecast models on how much snow will fall, but 2–4 cm is most likely with a chance of it ending up a bit outside of that range on either end depending on the exact track of the system.

On Saturday evening, after this system passes, the wind will strengthen out of the northwest into the 30–40 km/h range. These northwesterly winds will tap into a rather cold Arctic air mass and begin dragging it into southern Manitoba. Temperatures will plummet to a low near -25 °C with clearing skies and gradually easing winds.

An Arctic ridge moving into the region on Sunday will keep things cold and sunny with winds easing to light. Temperatures in Winnipeg will recover only slightly to a high near -21 °C, then head awfully close to (if not below) -30 on Sunday night.

Long Range Outlook

The first half of next week will bring cloudier conditions as the coldest air gradually leaves the region. By mid-week, forecasts show temperatures returning to seasonably mild conditions that persist through next weekend. No major snowfalls are in the forecast.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -23 °C.

A potent low pressure system diving through the eastern Prairies will bring warm and windy weather to Winnipeg today. In its wake, cooler weather will slump back into the region from the north.

Temperatures will rocket back above freezing in Winnipeg today as strong westerly winds usher in a Pacific air mass. Temperatures will climb to a high near +1 °C as southerly winds of 40 gusting 60 km/h shift westerly midday and strengthen to 50 gusting 70 km/h. Stronger winds will move through to the southwest of Winnipeg where gusts in excess of 90 km/h will be possible. A rogue gust closer to 80 km/h can’t be ruled out for Winnipeg today.

Most of the precipitation associated with this system will stay north of the Red River Valley, tracking with the low centre and to its north. Areas along the Trans-Canada Highway will still likely see a bit of light snow or even a rain shower as this system moves through. The best chance for precipitation will be in the morning as the warm front pushes across the region. While skies will be mostly cloudy through the day, a sunny break or two is possible in the afternoon.

The winds will ease to 30 gusting 50 km/h this evening, then shift to the northwest overnight as a cold front slumps through. This will bring more cloud to the region and a chance for some light snow. Temperatures will plummet to a low near -16 °C by Thursday morning.

The cold weather will be back in force on Thursday as a ridge moves through the province. Temperatures will barely recover to a high near -15 °C as northerly winds near 30 km/h continue to funnel Arctic air into the region. Cloud will likely stick around through the morning hours, but some sunny breaks should develop in the afternoon. The clouds will clear out in the evening. Temperatures will drop to a low near -25 °C on Thursday night with light winds. A trough will begin rotating into southern Manitoba overnight, likely bringing cloud back into the region by Friday morning.

Winnipeg will see mixed skies again on Friday as that weak trough rotates across the region. Temperatures will return to seasonal values with a high near -13 °C and there’s a slight chance for some scattered flurries. Skies will stay mainly cloudy on Friday night with a low near -19 °C.

Long Range Outlook

Some more cloud and snow is likely on the way for Winnipeg on Saturday with near-seasonal temperatures. Following that, temperatures will shift to seasonably cool with partly cloudy skies. Temperatures may moderate in the second half of next week.

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -23 °C.

One more warm day, then a blustery storm system moving through will shift Winnipeg into a cooler weather pattern.

A low pressure system moving into the province tonight will usher in a change for Winnipeg’s general weather pattern. Today will still be mild with temperatures climbing up to around -1 °C with mixed skies becoming cloudy this evening. The wind will be a little more noticeable today, picking up out of the south into the 20–30 km/h range for the afternoon and evening.

The low will arrive this evening, bringing warm air that will send temperatures up above 0 °C overnight. There will be a chance for a wintery mix overnight (snow, freezing rain, rain), but what exactly falls is highly dependent on the track of the low and how warm it ends up being. The temperature will drop below freezing to around -1 °C by Thursday morning.

Moderate northwest winds will move in on Thursday, strengthening to 30–40 km/h with gusts up to 60 km/h. Much of the region will see periods of light snow with widespread accumulations of 2–4 cm. A cold front passing through on Thursday night will reinforce the winds and bring more light snow to the region. This snow and wind will likely produce some areas of poor visibility in blowing snow on Thursday night. Temperatures will head to a low near -8 °C.

By Friday, it’s all cold air advection. Temperatures will struggle to move much from their starting point in the morning as the moderate northwest winds continue. Temperatures will only climb a degree or two above the day’s starting point for a high near -7 °C. The snow should taper off through the day, but skies will stay cloudy. The winds will ease Friday night with temperatures heading to a low near -13 °C under mostly cloudy skies.

Long Range Outlook

Cooler temperatures will persist right through next week with daytime highs generally in the -5 to -10 °C range and overnight lows dipping into the minus teens. Skies will stay on the cloudier side, and with the expected temperatures there will be a chance for some non-accumulating light snow on many days.

By the end of next week, it looks increasingly like the polar vortex will shift southwards and begin to flood central and eastern Canada with much colder polar air. This will likely mark the start of an extended period of generally below-seasonal temperatures with the potential for outbreaks of extreme cold.

Winter had to arrive at some point…enjoy the pleasant conditions while they last!

Today’s seasonal daytime high in Winnipeg is -13 °C while the seasonal overnight low is -24 °C.