As a potent spring storm begins to wallop northern and central Manitoba, there is a threat of severe thunderstorms in the southeast on Thursday. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for southeastern Manitoba, east of Winnipeg, and northwestern Ontario. ECCC said an approaching trough of low pressure will trigger severe thunderstorms late Thursday afternoon into the evening. The main hazards are wind gusts up to 90 km/h, hail up to three centimetres, heavy downpours, and an isolated tornado. The southeast will see soaring temperatures in the low to mid-20s with strong southerly winds as the trough approaches. The weather agency added that marginally severe thunderstorms are also possible in the Parkland regions on Thursday. Meanwhile, much of northern Manitoba is under a blizzard warning. Near-zero visibility in snow and northeasterly wind gusts up to 80 km/h are expected starting Thursday until Saturday. Snowfall totals between 30 to 50 centimetres are expected by Saturday, with the highest amounts in the northwest. Central regions remain under a freezing rain warning. Ice buildup from freezing rain, falling heavily at times, is anticipated. Flin Flon remains under a winter storm warning due to a mix of conditions expected there, including substantial freezing rain and snowfall. ECCC said travel is expected to be hazardous, and power outages are likely with impacts across the north.
