Environment Canada is warning Manitobans of some "active spring weather" ahead -- including strong winds, heavy and blowing snow, and patchy freezing rain.

The weather is expected to last from Monday to Tuesday night.

A special weather statement has been issued for Winnipeg and other areas of the province, including:

  •    Virden - Souris
  •    Brandon - Neepawa - Carberry - Treherne
  •    Melita - Boissevain - Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
  •    Killarney - Pilot Mound - Manitou
  •    Selkirk - Gimli - Stonewall - Woodlands
  •    Portage la Prairie - Headingley - Brunkild - Carman
  •    Dugald - Beausejour - Grand Beach
  •    Morden - Winkler - Altona - Morris
  •    Steinbach - St. Adolphe - Emerson - Vita - Richer
  •    Bissett - Victoria Beach - Nopiming Prov. Park - Pine Falls
  •    Whiteshell - Lac du Bonnet - Pinawa
  •    Sprague - Northwest Angle Provincial Forest
  •    Arborg - Hecla - Fisher River - Gypsumville - Ashern
  •    Dauphin - Russell - Roblin - Winnipegosis
  •    Minnedosa - Riding Mountain National Park
  •    Ste. Rose - McCreary - Alonsa - Gladstone
  •    Swan River - Duck Mountain - Porcupine Provincial Forest
  •    Berens River - Little Grand Rapids - Bloodvein - Atikaki

A strong low pressure system that is currently developing over Alberta will bring this weather east across the prairies to Manitoba. The change in weather is expected to begin overnight Sunday.

A brief period of mild temperatures Monday will be present as southerly winds bring warm weather ahead of the low.

Temperatures are expected to hit the mid to upper teens by mid-day Monday, only to rapidly fall into the minus teens by evening.

A strong front is expected to be present as of overnight Monday.

Environment Canada says southwestern portions of the province will see strong to severe winds Monday afternoon, with gusts reaching 90 kilometres per hour.

East into the Red River Valley and Interlake, winds will also be strong, reaching about 70 or 80 kilometres per hour.

Snow squalls, which are described as moderate to heavy flurries, will also come with the cold front. They may begin as rain showers before turning to snow with dropping temperatures.

Environment Canada estimates local snowfall amounts in the south will be in the two to four centimetre range. Heavier snowfall is possible across the central Interlake, with amounts of five to 10 centimetres of snow will be possible.

The heaviest snow is expected to track from east of Lake Winnipeg into central and northern Manitoba, where winter storm watches are in effect.

Be aware of the potential for blowing snow to reduce visibilities, making travel likely hazardous late Monday into the evening and Tuesday.

Conditions are expected to improve Tuesday evening when the low pressure system moves into Ontario.

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