Storm warnings continue across province

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This article was published 22/04/2022 (979 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mother Nature just won’t give Manitoba a break.

Environment Canada says Winnipeg could break an April rainfall record Saturday, with snow expected Sunday. The southern half of the province meanwhile has snowfall, rainfall and storm warnings in effect this weekend.

According to Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, Winnipeg’s April record for the most rainfall in one day was set on April 30, 1986, with 36 millimetres of rain landing in the city.

“Certainly, that record is in jeopardy,” Lang said.

As of noon Saturday, 10 mm was already seeping into the ground. About 30 mm total is expected throughout the day.

In Winnipeg, rain is likely to turn to snow by Sunday morning, with 10 to 15 centimetres expected, Lang said. However, with temperatures hovering around or above freezing, the snow might melt as soon as it lands.

A messy mix of weather is also in store for other regions in southern Manitoba.

Southeastern Manitoba is likely to see heavy rainfall, with a Colorado low will bring heavy rain with total rainfall amounts of 50 to 75 mm to the region over the weekend. Farther north, snow is expected.

The southwestern parts of the province are under a winter storm warning, with near-blizzard conditions and freezing rain possible in the region. Between 20 and 40 cm of snow is expected over the weekend, with upwards of 50 cm in areas with higher terrain, such as Riding Mountain National Park.

In Winnipeg, Environment Canada warns localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas.

“Avoid driving through water on roads,” the weather agency warns. “Even shallow, fast-moving water across a road can sweep a vehicle or a person away.”

The Red River also continues to rise. It’s up nearly a meter from Friday. The city’s records show the water level at James Avenue was 14.9 feet 7 a.m. Friday, up to 17.5 just after 2 p.m. Saturday.

The province says the Red River Floodway is expected to be activated later Saturday as the “major” precipitation system hits parts of southern Manitoba.

An overland flood warning is in effect for southwestern parts of the province.

“Water levels on most tributaries in the Red River basin and along the Red River main stem are rising quickly in response to the rainfall and will continue to rise over the coming days,” the province said in a Saturday release.

Central and southern Manitoba basins have received up to 40 mm of precipitation, with additional 30 to 50 mm expected Saturday and Sunday. Some areas could receive up to 80 mm of precipitation by midday Monday. However, with temperatures forecast to drop below zero early next week, that should slow any snow melt.

The province warns: “Some ditches and waterways are still ice covered or contain snow limiting water flows. As high amounts of rainfall occurring in a short period may cause overland flooding, citizens are advised of the potential for the sudden rise of water levels in these areas.

“Overland flooding occurs when water on the ground surface does not have sufficient time to flow into rivers and streams, potentially causing flooding of low-lying areas, roads and properties. In most cases, once the water enters the rivers and streams, they have sufficient capacity to handle the flows.”

As for the fluffy stuff in store for Winnipeg Sunday, this snowfall might not be our last.

“Never say never with these things,” Lang said.

katrina.clarke@freepress.mb.ca