Environment Canada says more snow squalls are expected to develop Thursday afternoon in eastern Manitoba after earlier squalls already left 50 cm of snow in some areas last weekend.

The national forecaster issued a snow squall watch just after 4:30 on Thursday morning for areas including Berens River, Bloodvein, Little Grand Rapids, Atikaki Prov. Park, and Poplar River.

Environment Canada says it expects snowfall amounts to be highly localized, but over 20 to 30 cm could fall in some areas.

From Environment Canada

Snow squalls are expected to develop. Under the snow squall bands, visibilities will be significantly reduced due to the heavy snow, and snow will quickly accumulate.

A cold air mass combined with northwest winds off the warm waters of Lake Winnipeg will create a favourable setup for snow squalls beginning Thursday afternoon.

Snow amounts will be highly localized but may exceed 20 to 30 cm in some areas by the time the snow squalls diminish on Saturday as the wind shifts to a more northerly direction.

This snow squall watch may be upgraded to a snow squall warning as the event nears and the areas impacted by the heaviest bands of snow become more clear.

Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

Snow squall watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the formation of bands of snow that could produce intense accumulating snow or near zero visibilities.

Current watches and warnings