Some Manitobans wake up to snow-covered lawns on 1st day of fall

Winter is coming.

Some residents of southern Manitoba woke up to a sheet of white snow on their lawns on Saturday, the day of the autumn equinox.

It appears to be the result of a low-pressure system pushing mainly rain activity across the southern half of the province, said Environment Canada meteorologistDavid Baggaley.

CBCmeteorologist John Saudersaid Friday that there was a chance some of the province could see "a few wet snowflakes mixed with showers during the early hours on Saturday."

"We are certainly at that 'anything can happen' time of year," he said.

While the weather agency hasn't seen any reports of heavy snow in the province, it is possible thatovernight lowsthat dropped below the freezing mark caused some light snow in certain areas, Baggaley said.

Shel Zolkewichlives in Meleb, in Manitoba's Interlake region, about 20 kilometres south of Arborg. She posted a photo of the snow-covered ground in her area.

She said she's never seen snow this early where she lives.

"If this was a month from now I wouldn't be terribly surprised. But this was certainly a bit of a surprise to wake up to," she said.

Saudersaid the rest of Saturday will be cloudy and cool, leading up to the autumn equinox Saturday evening at 8:54 p.m. CT.

There is also a chance of flurries in Churchill, Man., this morning, with conditions clearing by the early eveningaccording to Environment Canada.