First real snowfall of the year expected over the next couple of days

When snow falls in November, it doesn't come as much of a surprise to people that have lived in our province for any length of time. It is the most common month of the year for the snow to fall and actually stay until spring arrives. With that said, it still comes as a bit of a shock.

Here in Portage la Praire, we are actually doing much better than our friends to the West. Saskatchewan has already been hammered by snow once and is getting more today. A good part of Alberta has also been hit by snow, wind and ice a couple of times as well.

highways are very slick and numerous vehicles had slid into the ditch near Red Deer this weekend

Although we haven't seen these conditions in Manitoba just yet, it looks like something similar is on the way. The forecast for Sunday afternoon is calling for snow mixed with rain and blowing snow as well with the wind gusting to 60 km/h. More snow is expected Monday night into Tuesday and after it wraps up, temperatures are expected to be much colder for the rest of the week. 

Although there are no statements, watches, or warnings for the Portage area just yet, there is the potential for much heavier snow to the west and northwest. A special weather statement has been issued for areas like Gladstone, Alonsa, Minnedosa, Dauphin and a good part of Western Manitoba as an Alberta clipper continues to push snow through west-central Manitoba this morning. The statement advise that people should prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions and that visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.