Those in southwestern Manitoba who wanted snow for Christmas no longer have to worry after the mid-December storms.
A Colorado Low raged, hitting western Canada and the US Midwest Dec. 11-18, on its way to Ontario and points farther east. Although not as bad as some areas, the southwestern part of the province saw its share of snow, starting on December 13. Originally forecast as a few centimetres, Mother Nature had a mind of her own, and weather networks changed their predictions to go along with her.
In the end, different areas ended up with different amounts, but as much as nine to 12 inches (23 to 28 cms) of snow fell in our region. The storm was at its most vicious on Thursday, as this was when the second round of snow hit, and the wind began to pick up. Even a glance out of Boissevain at the highway showed a big, white wall. Northerly wind gusts were reported up to 60 kms an hour.
The situation was bad enough that school was cancelled in both Turtle Mountain and Southwest Horizon School Divisions on Friday, December 16. Earlier, on December 14, travel was not advised in North Dakota, with a winter storm warning in place for much of the state.
As the snow tapered off on the weekend, the mercury dipped heavily, as an Arctic airmass arrived. By Tuesday, December 20, people were waking up to -32 degrees Celsius and an extreme cold warning. For the rest of the week, the highest predicted temperature was -21. This is to hold until Christmas Day, which is to improve to up to -16. However, more snow is to fall on that day, and temperature changes of that amount usually involve a fair bit of wind. Overall, by later next week, single digit temperatures are to return.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff
