The first major winter storm of the season has placed a bullseye on Southern Manitoba. Environment Canada has issued Winter Storm Watches for the Red River Valley and all of Southeastern Manitoba, with Winter Storm Warnings now in effect for all of Southwestern Manitoba.

A low pressure system moving eastward along the international border in Saskatchewan will rapidly intensify as it tracks into Manitoba Monday. Snow, heavy at times, will begin Monday evening and continue through Wednesday over the watched area. More uncertainty remains in the final track of this system through southeastern Manitoba, but in general total amounts of 15 to 30 cm are possible through Wednesday.

Meanwhile, northerly winds gusting to 60 or 70 km/h will develop early Tuesday over the Interlake and Red River Valley areas. Visibilities are likely to be significantly reduced in snow and blowing snow at times for much of Tuesday and into Wednesday as well. There is potential for sustained blizzard conditions.

Environment Canada says the snow and wind will gradually ease Wednesday night, but that will be followed by bitterly cold Arctic air that will move in behind this winter storm system.  Overnight lows below -20 degrees Celsius are expected by the end of the week, and will be accompanied by windchill values in the -30 to -35 range.