Wild wind, winter storms prompt weather alerts around Manitoba

If you've set upany outdoor Halloween decorations, you might want to consider reinforcing them or that plastic witch on the broomstick might actually take flight.

Many Manitobans are facing a day of extreme weather on Wednesday, whether it's damaging winds or winter storms.

The wind warning, whichstretches from Clearwater Lake Provincial Park in central Manitoba all the way south to the U.S. border, calls for gusts of 90 km/h in most areas, though someareas nearDuck Mountain and Riding Mountainare likely to get gusts of 110 km/h or stronger, according to Environment Canada.

Things are expected to start blowing Tuesday evening and into the overnight in the western part of the province, while the south will start to see the gales early Wednesday.

Damage to buildings roof shingles and windows is a possibility, as are broken tree branches, the warning states.

The warning covers everything in the southernhalf of the province, save for a strip along the eastern edge.

• Public weather alerts for Manitoba: Environment Canada

The winter storm watch affects the extreme northern section of the provinceChurchill, Tadoule Lake and Brochet.

Thesystem is expected to spread heavy snow across the regionTuesday night and into Wednesday, Environment Canada says.

Snowfall totals of 25-35 centimetres are likely for these regions before tapering off late Wednesday.

Once the snow stops, however, the windstarts in the north.

Strong northerly winds are expected to develop and produce extremely poor visibility as theyblow around the fresh snow.

Blizzard conditions are possible, according to Environment Canada.