It could end up being a very white Easter for southern Manitoba.

Natalie Hasell with Environment Canada says they are tracking a system that could drop between 5 and 10 centimetres of snow on the Red River Valley.

Hasell explains there is a low-pressure system currently sitting over southern Alberta. There is also a trough that extends to a low-pressure system sitting in Montana. Hasell says that trough of low pressure will move across the prairies, arriving in Manitoba by Friday. 

"So that's where the snow is coming from," she says.

According to Hasell, there should be snow falling in the Red River Valley by early afternoon on Good Friday. Approximately two to four centimetres will fall that afternoon. 

Hasell says they are not expecting very strong winds with this system and so motorists will likely not be contending with reduced visibility in blowing snow. 

She notes the snow will continue Friday night and into Saturday morning.

Hasell says because the temperature is expected to remain near the freezing mark while the system passes through, the snow will likely be quite sticky.

"Even if we did get a pretty big wind gust all of a sudden, which would be a little unexpected, but say we did, don't expect it to really blow anything around," she assures. "Once the snow touches the ground it will stick or melt and then stick."

And, because of the temperature, Hasell says whatever moisture might sit on the ground Friday evening, could freeze overnight, causing less-than-desirable driving conditions. 

"It's Easter, I expect people will be travelling, so, perhaps plan for delays, have an emergency kit," warns Hasell. "Tell people where you are going, how long it's going to take you, so that if you don't show up somebody knows."

Though the Red River Valley can generally expect between 5 and 10 centimetres of snow with this system, Hasell says areas near the Manitoba/ Saskatchewan border could see higher amounts with more intensity. 

Hasell says it is possible that Environment Canada could issue a snowfall warning for areas near the Saskatchewan border. A snowfall warning is issued when at least 10 centimetres of snow is expected in a 12-hour period. She notes there is also a chance of a freezing rain warning for southern Manitoba. 

Meanwhile, Hasell says by the time we get to Monday, the system will have passed through, and southern Manitoba should see a return to more seasonal temperatures. The normal high for this time of year is five degrees.