Winter is set to make a return to the Red River Valley, with Environment Canada issuing a Special Weather Statement for those regions Sunday afternoon ahead of an expected storm system expected Monday into Tuesday. A Snowfall Warning has been issued for Southeastern Manitoba.

“Indications mid-last week were we could see Old Man Winter return to Southern Manitoba with the ingredients available for a late season winter storm,” said CMOS accredited Weathercaster Chris Sumner Sunday afternoon. “The key now will be the track of the storm, because that will have an impact on who receives snow, rain and just how much.”

The system is expected to develop over the Dakotas Monday, and track into northern Minnesota Monday night spreading a large area of precipitation over southern Manitoba. Currently, it appears much of the Red River Valley will receive 5 to 10 cm of snow from this system beginning Monday morning. In Southeastern Manitoba snowfall totals may be in the 15 to 20 cm range before it tapers off Monday night.

The system is expected to move out of southern Manitoba by Tuesday morning.

“This is a good time think about your winter driving techniques, and remind any inexperienced drivers in your family to be prepared for winter-like conditions,” added Sumner. “Coming so late in the season, these are the kinds of storms that can catch us off guard, and lead to unnecessary vehicle collisions simply because we are not driving to conditions.”