After extreme cold and strong winds earlier this week, more moderate January conditions are on tap on Thursday.
A low pressure trough is spreading light snow Thursday afternoon across the northwest, as far as Thompson.
It is also ushering mild air into the northern half of the province. Daytime highs as far north as Tadoule Lake are expected to reach the minus single digits.
Sunshine in Churchill will keep temperatures colder, but not by much. Temperatures there will still climb to around 10 degrees above normal for late January.
Before light snow arrives in the south, most areas will be cloudy or enjoy more of a mix of sun and cloud.
Temperatures are a few degrees colder than in the north, but winds are reasonably light, so wind chill values won’t be as bitterly cold as earlier this week.
Light snow is expected to reach Swan River and Dauphin tonight, before spreading into Brandon overnight and Winnipeg by early Friday morning.
Snow will continue on Friday in Winnipeg and in most areas along the system’s path.
Temperatures in the south will soar close to the freezing mark on Friday, with daytime highs expected to reach -2 C or -3 C.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said snowfall amounts of 2-5 cm in Manitoba can be expected by Friday evening.
So far, the forecast amount for Winnipeg is at the lower end, around 2 cm.
The weather agency cautions that northwest winds will gust up to 70 km/h behind the trough in the southwest, raising concerns for blowing snow.
