Potent storm unloads heavy snow and gusty winds on the eastern Prairies

A large section of the Prairies continues to be bombarded with wintry weather Sunday, with a swath of heavy snow and some freezing rain hitting parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and soon to be northwestern Ontario.

Mixed precipitation is possible farther south toward the international border.

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A patchwork of winter storm and snowfall warnings line the path of the system across the Prairies.

Beware the risk for slow travel along the Yellowhead and Trans-Canada highways, lasting into Monday. Be sure to stay up to date on all of the weather warnings in your area, as well, and have a plan in place as conditions worsen.

Sunday and Monday:

This system has produced a whole spectrum of precipitation––rain, snow, and freezing rain––as it moves east across the Prairies. Heavy snowfall rates will be the main threat during this event.

Strong winds of 50-70 km/h will make extensive blowing and drifting snow a serious problem for drivers throughout the region. Be sure to stay on top of road conditions before heading out.

Temperatures will also take a dive from west to east, but it won't be enough to make it a deep freeze.

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Snowfall rates will pick up as the clipper grows organized and picks up additional moisture, moving east into Saskatchewan and Manitoba into early Sunday. Blowing snow will become an issue Sunday night across southern Saskatchewan.

Snow began in Saskatoon on Saturday night and will continue through Sunday morning before ending as the system pushes east. The snowfall will begin in Winnipeg by Sunday morning, increasing in intensity through the day before tapering off through the evening hours.

The heaviest snows are expected in northern Ontario, where snow will begin in Dryden and Thunder Bay on Sunday afternoon and continue through the first half of Monday.

We’re looking at some hefty snowfall totals by the end of the storm. A swath of 15-20 cm of accumulation is on tap from the Saskatoon area east toward Dauphin and Winnipeg.

Northwestern Ontario is on track to win the snowy jackpot with this clipper, where an additional totals of 15-20 cm are in the forecast for areas from Kenora to Lake Superior.

WATCH: Snow in the forecast? These winter driving tips will have you ready

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