January to wrap up with heatwave, says ECCC

January could end with record-breaking temperatures.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Portage la Prairie expects to reach a daytime high of +10 on Wednesday, January 31st. Warning preparedness meteorologist Natalie Hasell says a low-pressure system will allow warmer air from the USA to reach southern Manitoba.

She warns that the roads will most likely be very slippery due to an incoming freeze-thaw cycle.

"Any snow that's on the ground will melt during the day, then freeze in the evening or overnight," explains Hasell. "To get to +10, almost all of your snow has to disappear."

Due to the lack of snow required to get to double-digits, Hasell's unconvinced that Portage will get that warm. She does mention that this would still be leaps above our seasonal high for this time of year.

"Typically, we would see daytime highs of -10, so daytime highs above 0 are still remarkably warm," notes Hasell.

For current conditions and the five-day forecast, click here.