Environment Canada ended a cold weather warning for Gimli, Manitoba, at 5:00 AM on March 3, 2026, as the community moves from extreme arctic temperatures toward a week of snow and much warmer weather.
Residents should expect gusty north winds reaching up to 50 kilometres per hour on Wednesday, March 4, followed by periods of snow on Thursday, March 5. This shift marks the end of a deep freeze where wind chills recently dropped as low as minus 35 degrees Celsius.
A significant thaw is expected on Saturday, March 7, with temperatures reaching plus 4 degrees Celsius, which is 9 degrees warmer than the usual daytime high. While the warmer air is a relief, it can create hidden slush pockets and weaken ice ridges on Lake Winnipeg.
These slush pockets are layers of water trapped under the snow that can cause snowmobiles or vehicles to get stuck. The constant freezing and thawing will also make sidewalks and local roads very slippery over the coming days.
