Experts say dust storm in Manitoba starting to settle down

Winnipeg residents are continuing to deal with the aftermath of a rare dust storm that swept across southern Manitoba this week, bringing powerful winds, reduced visibility and scattered damage across the region.

Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor said Thursday marked the peak of the storm’s dusty conditions, though some suspended dust remained in the atmosphere Friday.

“It was a very significant storm, if I can put it that way,” Brian Proctor, meteorologist with Environment Canada, said in an interview.

“The storm initially sort of start generating dust in southeast Alberta, and then down to Montana and it tracked right across Saskatchewan into southern Manitoba and even today we’re still seeing some suspended dust in the atmosphere from satellite imagery.”

According to Environment Canada, the severe winds caused power outages, tree damage and hazardous driving conditions due to blowing dust.

Proctor said the unusual weather event was caused by a combination of prolonged strong winds and extremely dry conditions across the southern Prairies.

Despite the spring storm, some Winnipeggers said unpredictable weather is nothing new for the city.

“That’s out of the world; no place is like that. That’s only in Canada,” one resident said.

Another resident described frustration with the sudden change in conditions.

“Winnipeg you never know. So, I feel awful and terrible. I’m like why am I in Winnipeg but hey we are here so,” they said.

Others expressed concern for travellers heading into the Victoria Day long weekend.

“I feel so bad for the people that wanted to go away for the long weekend. It’s not ideal camping, getting out to your recreation property weather,” another resident said.

The City of Winnipeg said its spring street-cleaning operations have not been affected by the dust storm and crews remain on schedule sweeping roads and sidewalks across the city.

Looking ahead, Proctor said Manitobans can expect cooler and more typical seasonal conditions through the holiday weekend, though some unsettled weather remains possible.

“We could see some mixed phased precipitation as the weekend progresses up to the end of the holiday weekend and the start of the upcoming work week, but in general terms, expect more typical conditions with gradual cooled down through the holiday weekend,” Proctor said.