Here we go: Snow squalls with near-zero visibility possible in eastern Manitoba

The s-word has crept back into Manitoba's weather forecasts.

Environment Canada has issued a snow squall watch for part of the province, sayinggusting winds and fresh snowfall could develop in communities east of Lake Winnipeg starting Wednesday evening and lasting throughout Thursday.

Rapidly accumulating snow, along with near-zero visibility at times, is expected under the strongest squalls.

Significant snowfall accumulations are possible, though the amounts will be highly variable due to warmer ground temperatures that will cause some melting, the weather agency says in its alert.

"Snow squall warnings will be issued when the location and intensity of the squall bands becomes more certain," it says.

Travel may be hazardous due to sudden changes in the weather and people should consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

The areas under the watch include:

• Rural municipality of Alexander,includingPowerview-Pine Falls.
• Rural municipality of Victoria Beach.
• Nopiming ProvincialPark.
• Bissett.
• Manigotagan Black River First Nationand Hollow Water First Nation.
• Berens River.
• Bloodvein.
• Little Grand Rapids and Atikaki ProvincialPark.

Further north inBrochetandTadoule Lake, a wind warning has been issued, with"severe winds" gustingto 90 km/h expected to begin around noon Wednesday.

The northwesterly windsare being ushered in by a low-pressure system that willintensify as it moves into the area, Environment Canada said.

The winds are expected tobegin to diminish Thursday morning.