A significant winter storm has struck parts of Manitoba, resulting in heavy snowfall and fallen trees. Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning early Monday, predicting over 30 centimeters of snow in northern Manitoba. The most affected areas were expected to be from Flin Flon through Thompson, with general snowfall amounts of 10-25 cm in other warned regions.
Residents like Stuart McDowell in The Pas reported challenging conditions due to wet, heavy snow causing downed trees and branches. Northerly winds up to 50-60 km/h led to poor visibility from blowing snow, prompting warnings to avoid travel in affected areas. Highways 391 and 280 were closed due to hazardous driving conditions.
Meteorologist Dan Fulton explained that a storm originating from Montana transitioned into heavy snow over northern Manitoba, causing significant impacts. Property owners, such as Elissa Bogdan at Wekusko Falls Lodge, noted the need for extensive tree removal to clear roads. Power outages affecting around 11,000 Manitoba Hydro customers were reported due to wind and trees damaging power lines and equipment.
Despite the disruptions, some residents like Bogdan acknowledged the much-needed moisture brought by the snow after a dry summer and challenging fire season. While power outages persisted, many remained grateful for the beneficial effects of the snowfall amid the inconvenience it caused.