Cold Start, Increasing Clouds, and a Milder Afternoon

Winnipeg starts off at -18°C, but a big warm-up is coming. Highs will reach +8°C by Thursday before winter returns with snow and strong winds Friday night

Winnipeg is off to a frigid start this morning, with temperatures sitting at -17.8°C under clear skies. A light west-southwest breeze at 4 km/h is keeping the wind chill at a frosty -21°C.

Humidity is at 65%, and the pressure is at 101.9 kPa and rising, signaling relatively stable conditions for now. Visibility is excellent at 24 km, but the cold is the real challenge this morning.

As the day progresses, expect increasing cloud cover with winds shifting to the south at 20 km/h early this afternoon. The high will reach -6°C, a significant improvement from this morning, but the wind chill will still make it feel like -26°C early on before easing to -13°C this afternoon.

The UV index remains low at 2.

Tonight, mainly cloudy skies will dominate, with a 60% chance of light snow late in the evening and overnight. Winds will start at 20 km/h from the south before becoming light late in the evening. The low will drop to -8°C, with a wind chill near -14°C.

Midweek: A Sudden Thaw Before a Weekend Shake-Up

Wednesday morning will clear up quickly, bringing much warmer air into the region. Winds will stay light, up to 15 km/h, allowing temperatures to climb to a high of +5°C—marking a dramatic shift from today’s deep freeze.

However, the morning wind chill will still feel like -12°C, so a warm coat will still be needed early on. The UV index stays at 2.

Wednesday night will see cloudy periods, with a 30% chance of flurries and a low of -2°C.

Thursday will be another cloudy but mild day, with a high of 8°C. The night remains relatively warm for March, with cloudy periods and a low of +1°C.

Looking Ahead: A Rollercoaster Ride of Weather

Friday brings a 60% chance of showers under cloudy skies, with a high of +5°C. However, the mild stretch will come to a crashing halt Friday night as snow moves in, along with strong winds and blowing snow. The low will plunge to -13°C, setting the stage for a much colder weekend.

Saturday will be a blustery day with a mix of sun and cloud, strong winds, and a high of only -7°C. The night will be clear but bitterly cold, with a low of -19°C.

Sunday keeps the sunshine around but remains cold, with a high of -7°C and a nighttime low of -13°C.

What to Wear?

Today still requires full winter gear—heavy coats, gloves, and hats are necessary with the wind chills dipping near -26°C this morning.

By Wednesday, a lighter jacket will work in the afternoon as temperatures climb above freezing.

By Thursday and Friday, a spring coat or rain-resistant gear may be more appropriate. However, don’t pack away the winter clothing just yet—Friday night into Saturday will bring a sharp return to winter, so warm layers will be needed again.

Winnipeg Weather Trivia: March’s Mood Swings

March weather in Winnipeg is infamous for its dramatic swings. The record high for March 11 was a balmy 17.4°C in 2012, while the coldest was a brutal -37.8°C in 1965. This week’s forecast captures that classic March unpredictability—going from a deep freeze to above-freezing temperatures, then back to a snowy and windy blast by the weekend.

Buckle up, because spring in Winnipeg is never straightforward!