Worst of storm expected to miss Brandon

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This article was published 04/04/2023 (1311 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon may not get the worst of today’s expected snowstorm, but residents shouldn’t be hopeful it’ll be the last dump of snow before summer in the Wheat City.

According to Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Natalie Hasell, Brandon may narrowly avoid the worst of the Colorado low system that is expected to bring 15 to 25 centimetres of snow this week.

“Brandon looks like it will be on the edge of the area with the worst weather,” Hasell told the Sun. “I don’t think Brandon is going to see much more than 15 [centimetres].”

The city already received 11.6 centimetres of snow over this past weekend, according to Hasell.

The snow will begin later today, with the brunt of the storm occurring Wednesday. Residents can expect the snow to taper off that night and clearing by Thursday morning. Wind gusts could reach 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, threatening commutes and travel on Wednesday.

“Not only will visibility be reduced in snow, it will also be reduced in blowing snow,” Hasell said.

According to Environment Canada, the Colorado low will impact southern and southeastern Manitoba the most, with the heaviest snow expected to fall over the southeastern corner of the province, this afternoon through Thursday morning.

Cold temperatures will return to Brandon Thursday night as the cold front associated with the system passes. But the mercury will climb by the weekend with forecasted highs of 8 C on Saturday and 10 C on Sunday.

But Hasell cautions against holding out for a weekend of shedding winter lawyers and jackets.

“I think the plus eight forecast is actually too optimistic,” she said. “It’s in the realm of possibility, but I would be happier with 4 [C], or 5 [C], or 6 [C].”

Hasell said that for Brandon, April daily averages are about 5 C.

While temperatures above zero are still something to look forward to after a snowstorm, Hasell said the freeze-thaw cycles bring additional challenges.

“Even if the weather itself is relatively benign, road conditions, highways, parking lots, sidewalks, paths, tracks could all be affected by ice accretion or accumulation,” she said. “So, people will still have to pay attention, especially if they have to drive.”

Messy weather can be expected to continue into April, she added, although it is difficult to predict whether the city will see snowfall or rain, depending on temperatures.

Asked how the upcoming snowfall may impact the spring flood outlook, a spokesperson said the province is keeping its eye on the system.

“Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre is monitoring the weather system and will issue updated river flow and river level forecasts once the system passes,” the statement read.

Still, Brandon residents can be comforted by the fact that this week’s storm will be quick — usually Colorado lows linger in areas for much longer.

“We’re not at the end of the season, we just started for the calendar,” Hasell said. “It’s very early spring still.”

» gmortfield@brandonsun.com