Parts of Manitoba are experiencing winter conditions, leading to numerous fallen trees. A snowfall warning was issued by Environment Canada early Monday, forecasting over 30 centimeters of snow in certain northern Manitoba areas. The most severely impacted regions are anticipated to be along a path from Flin Flon through Thompson. Other areas within the warning zone are expected to receive snowfall between 10-25 cm, as stated by the weather agency.
Specifically, Wabowden and Pukatawagan are predicted to receive more than 20 centimeters, while Lynn Lake is expected to see 5-10 cm. Stuart McDowell, a resident of The Pas, described the snow as wet and heavy, causing challenges in mobility due to fallen trees and branches in the town.
Strong northerly winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 km/h are causing poor visibility due to blowing snow, prompting likely highway closures, according to Environment Canada. Highway 391 from Leaf Rapids to Nelson House and Highway 280 from Thompson to Split Lake were closed on Monday due to dangerous driving conditions.
Environment Canada meteorologist Dan Fulton attributed the intense storm to a system moving from Montana along the Manitoba-Saskatchewan border, resulting in significant rain followed by heavy snowfall in northern Manitoba.
Elissa Bogdan, co-owner of Wekusko Falls Lodge, noted the need for extensive tree removal to clear roads in the area after heavy snow caused trees to crack and fall. The town of Snow Lake urged residents to conserve water as the water treatment plant’s generator ran out of fuel due to the challenging weather conditions.
Power Outages
Manitoba Hydro reported outages affecting approximately 11,000 customers across eastern, northern, and western Manitoba due to wind, rain, and tree-related damage to power lines and equipment. Repair efforts are ongoing, focusing on areas with the highest number of affected customers first.
Bogdan mentioned that Wekusko Falls Lodge had been without power since Sunday night, preparing for potential extended outages. Despite the disruptions, she acknowledged the much-needed moisture brought by the snow following a dry summer and challenging fire season.