Heavy snow, reduced visibility intensifying in parts of southern Manitoba

Snow is falling across southern Manitoba, with reduced visibility in some areas.

Early this morning, Environment Canada issued an updated heavy snowfall warning for southern Manitoba including the cities of Winnipeg, Brandon, Winkler, Steinbach and surrounding communities.

A weather advisory statement has also beenissued for parts ofnorthwest Ontario, including Kenora.

According to meteorologist Shannon Moodie, Brandonhas received about eight centimetres of snow as of 6 a.m., with areas of southwestern Manitoba expected to receive the biggest snowfall accumulations.

An estimated 10 to 20 centimetres of snow is anticipated to fall as heavy snow pushes eastward throughout the day, the weather agency said.

Winds are also expected to blow up to 60 kilometres per hourin some areas, creating pockets of reduced visibility from blowing snow.

Most highways in southern Manitoba are already reportedly partiallyor fully covered in snow.

Winnipeg is expected to receive approximately 10 to 15 cm today, with wind gusts reachingup to 50 km/h.

"We saw the snow start quite heavily really early this morning and it will be coming down quite heavy for this morning, themorning commute and then we'll see it taper off throughout the day," Moodie said.

Snow is intensifying but isexpected to taper off in western Manitoba this afternoon, but it will continuefalling inthe Red River Valley and eastern Manitoba until the evening.

Moodie says another weather system bringing more snow is expected to arrive in Manitoba on Tuesday before a cold snap sets in.

"After that system clears out Tuesday night, temperatures dip and we'll likely see some extreme cold through Manitoba definitely by mid-week and it really looks to stick around for quite a while," she said.

Snow route parking ban enforced

As snow continues to fall in Winnipeg, city crews are ready to respond.

The city says snowfall accumulationwill be monitored and decisions regarding plowing will be made as the weather system passes, the city said in a news release.

The city wants to remind motorists todrive according to the road conditions and to use extreme caution when driving near heavy equipment.

The city said Monday afternoon it was putting in place an extended snow route parking ban starting at 12 a.m. Tuesday. Vehicles are prohibited from parking along designated snow routes between midnight and 7 a.m. until further notice.

Vehicles parked in violation may be ticketedand alsomay be towed to the towing company's compound.

Residents are encouraged to check streets for snow route signs and can visit the city's interactivesnow route mapfor more information, or bycontacting 311.