Parts of Manitoba are expecting a blast of snow early next week. PortageOnline contacted Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Meteorologist Justin Shelley for insight on how this system may affect the Central Plains region.

Shelley says ECCC is tracking a pretty powerful storm that will impact the northern plains of the US between Sunday night and Tuesday.

"Now, for the most part, it looks like it's going to be a glancing blow in terms of impacts on southern Manitoba. The storm track itself is really going to move through the northern plains. So, by Monday night, it's tracking through Minnesota. Then into Tuesday, it's going to be tracking into Northern Ontario."

He says the northwest region of the system will impact southeast Manitoba.

"It looks like, for the most part, those amounts are going to be pretty limited. Specifically, areas around the Portage area might be looking at 2 to 5 centimetres in total, while areas southeast of Winnipeg along the Ontario border are looking at more like 5 to 10 centimetres."

According to Shelley, one part of this system that won't be missed is some strong wind gusts that will begin Sunday and remain in the Portage la Prairie area into Tuesday.

"It Is likely going to be gusting upwards of 60 kilometres per hour at points," he continues. "Then by Wednesday, the system will be tracked well to the north and east, but we might still see some residual winds from the northwest, gusting up to 50." 

Shelley adds that it doesn't look like Portage will see too much of the impact of this system unless things change.

"In the next several days, we'll be under the influence of a surface ridge. So, we are going to see mainly sunny skies and somewhat cooler conditions still in place."

He notes that he expects the flurries to start late Monday, with the most snowfall expected on Tuesday and early Wednesday.

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