Alberta Clipper hanging over Winnipeg brings significant snowfall

Manitoba has been hit with an abundance of snow as the result of an Alberta Clipper and the weather system brought with it what feels like the full effect of the winter season.

“Typically with Alberta Clippers, the system tends to come in fast, so it will bring a significant amount of snowfall, but within a four to six-hour period. What we saw with this storm, is not very typical for an Alberta Clipper, we saw that it was prolonged, more stationary, so it stuck around from yesterday to today,” said Stella Acquisto, CityNews Weather Specialist.

Acquisto says the system over parts of Manitoba is set to clear out in the coming days after delivering a winter wallop.

“It did bring a significant amount of snow.”

While many will be staying indoors, some, like the Downtown Business Improvement Zone’s Dennis Rondeau, who works clearing the sidewalks of Downtown Winnipeg, he says getting rid of the white stuff is a work of passion and it’s appreciated by those trying to get around the city’s centre.

“You gotta’ be a different breed,” said Rondeau. “Everyone is giving us cheers, and hands up and high fives and they love that we’re making a path for them.”

Rondeau explains while city crews make clear up the brunt of the snow, he says he and his crew of 16 are out in full force to ensure smooth passage for Winnipeg citizens, and he says the arrival of winter weather, is welcome.

”I love the cold, right? I can’t get enough of it.”

And while folks like Rondeau and city crews are out in full force trying to clear city streets and pathways, some active transportation advocates feel like they’ve been left on ice.

“Really, we should be an example to other cities, not a laggard,” said Mark Cohoe, Bike Winnipeg Executive Director.

Cohoe says while plows have been busy hitting the streets, some pedestrian and bicycle routes have been left covered with snow, making it difficult for many to get around.

“If you’re walking, you’re riding, if you’re taking transit, you maybe not feel like part of that system.”

The first real test of the season, he says while the city has made improvements over the years in making winter cycling and active transportation possible, not having these pieces of infrastructure cleared on a consistent and continual basis sends the wrong message to users.

“The unspoken message that they’re receiving then, is they’re not really encouraging you to walk, bike, or cycle.”