Residents in southern Manitoba brace for hazardous travel as freezing drizzle mixed with light snow arrives in the Red River Valley overnight Thursday into Friday.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued advisories for areas including Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, and Gimli, signaling potential icy buildup on roads and walkways.

Driving Weather Factors

A weak inverted trough tied to a Montana low fuels the precipitation, extending a snow band from southern Saskatchewan across parts of Manitoba. The freezing drizzle should subside overnight in most of the Red River Valley but may continue into Friday morning in the southeast.

Safety Measures Urged

Surfaces such as roads and sidewalks will likely turn slick and dangerous. Pedestrians and drivers should exercise extreme caution: activate headlights, reduce speed, maintain ample following distance, and allocate extra time for journeys.