Residents in Beausejour, Manitoba, are bracing for a rapid overnight temperature drop that could turn wet streets into dangerous sheets of ice.
Environment Canada’s forecast for Beausejour shows temperatures falling from around +2°C during the day to about −16°C overnight beginning Thursday, a drop of roughly 18°C, with a risk of freezing rain late this evening. The sudden change follows a day of rain and melting snow that has left standing water on roads and sidewalks. Wind gusts up to 60 km/h are expected, with wind chills near −26°C by Friday morning.
Environment Canada warns that ‘surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and extremely hazardous’ as temperatures drop and residual water freezes — conditions that could produce widespread black ice and make the Friday morning commute especially treacherous.
Manitoba’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre (part of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure) is monitoring flood conditions in the region and has an active flood watch for parts of the area, with particular concern for frazil ice or ice jams on the Brokenhead River that could cause sudden localized flooding in low-lying spots.
RM of Brokenhead public works and Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure crews are preparing to treat major routes such as Highway 44 and Highway 12 with sand and salt. Road salt loses much of its effectiveness as temperatures fall below about −15°C, so rapid cooling could reduce the effectiveness of treatments. Drivers are urged to check road reports before travelling and to be extra cautious on bridges and overpasses where ice commonly forms first.
