It is warm and sunny in southern Manitoba on Wednesday, while central and northern regions brace for an impending and impactful storm. Sunshine will give way to cloudy skies in the southwest, with daytime highs in the upper teens and low 20s. Sunnier conditions will last longer into the day in Winnipeg and the rest of the southeast, as temperatures soar into the low 20s. Skies are even brighter in northwestern Ontario on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a snowfall warning for northern Manitoba, and a freezing rain warning and winter storm watch for central areas. Freezing rain will start Wednesday evening in central regions as snow begins in the north. The weather agency said freezing rain and rain and, at times, heavy snow, will fall though the day on Thursday, and possibly longer. Meanwhile, snow will continue in northern regions until Saturday. As much of 30 to 50 centimetres of snow is possible by Saturday in the northwest, and eastward to Thompson. Lesser, but still significant amounts are expected elsewhere. In the south, the warm and humid airmass could trigger showers or thunderstorms Wednesday night and overnight. Temperatures in the low 20s return on Thursday to the south, before a cold front brings an abrupt change by Friday, with single-digit highs expected.
