Winter storm warnings issued for western Manitoba, snowfall warnings for Winnipeg and the southeast

People living in a large swath across Manitoba, including Winnipeg,are in for a major dump of snow.

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warnings for parts of the province from the Interlake down to Sprague and the Northwest Angle.

By Friday, as much as 15 to 30 centimetres of heavy snow could fall.

Wednesday night, snowfall accumulations around 10 centimetres are expected in the Interlake, and 5-10 centimetres closer to the Trans-Canada Highway and Winnipeg.

Areas downwind of Lake Winnipeg could see higher, localized accumulations up to 30 centimetres or more by Friday.

Winds up to 70 kilometres per hour beginning Thursday afternoon will create blowing snow conditions, reducing visibility in open areas, especially in areas near lakes and in the Red River Valley.

As of 4 p.m. CT Wednesday, snowfall warnings have been issued for:

• Arborg-Hecla-Fisher River-Gypsumville-Ashern
• Bissett-Victoria Beach-Nopiming ProvincialPark-Pine Falls
• City of Winnipeg
• Dugald-Beausejour-Grand Beach
• Selkirk-Gimli-Stonewall-Woodlands
• Sprague-Northwest Angle Provincial Forest
• Whiteshell-Lac du Bonnet-Pinawa

Winter storm warnings have also been issuedfor parts of western Manitoba along the Saskatchewan border. Snowfall amounts will vary widely, depending on geography.

Most areas will get between 10 and25 centimetresby the end of Thursday. Areas along the Manitoba escarpment will see the highest amounts, up to 40 centimetres, Environment Canada said on its website.

These areas include:

• Dauphin-Russell-Roblin-Winnipegosis
• Ste. Rose-McCreary-Alonsa-Gladstone
• Swan River-Duck Mountain-Porcupine Provincial Forest