Residents in Swan River, Manitoba, are being warned to prepare for slippery roads and an unseasonable thaw as temperatures are forecast to climb over February 3–5, 2026, peaking near +5°C on February 5. This winter thaw is expected to begin with freezing drizzle on February 3, followed by rapid snowmelt through February 5 that could affect local travel and drainage.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), freezing drizzle can create thin, transparent layers of ice that are hard to detect. Canada.ca guidance notes that such conditions can make highways, walkways and parking lots icy and hazardous, increasing risk to motorists and pedestrians.
The forecast high of +5°C is roughly 15–20°C above typical early‑February temperatures for Swan River (typical daily highs are about −10°C to −15°C, per climate-data.org and ECCC normals). While the warmth may be a welcome break from the cold, it will cause the substantial snowpack to melt faster than frozen ground can absorb, producing rapid runoff.
Rapid melting can lead to ice jams on the Swan River or localized pooling on town streets. A Province of Manitoba news release from April 2, 2017 documents ice-jam related rises in the Swan River and notes that such events have in the past affected provincial roads.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and local authorities are advising caution on highways and town roads, and residents are urged to monitor local forecasts and hydrometric stations for sudden rises in water levels during the peak melt period.
