It’s not called Mani-Sno-Ba or Winter-Peg for nothing – winter is a fact of life in Manitoba and the generally cold weather is the basis for many outdoor activities. However, the weather doesn’t always cooperate.
snowmobiling The scene in Manitoba looks quite different from last year in some areas of the province.
Near Minnow Lake, about 200 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg, a machine used to prepare snowmobiling trails broke through the snow. Luckily both the workers were fine.
“They check the snow every half kilometer,” said Brad Wall, president of the Lee River Snow Riders. “They go out with a chainsaw and various tools to check the thickness of the ice. But they come around a point on the lake and the ice starts to break up and the machine sinks on the passenger side.
Pleasant weather on Sunday a welcome change for Winnipeggers
Amazon layoffs: Company will cut nearly 18K jobs in Canada, US, Costa Rica
There are other effects of unseasonably warm temperatures around Manitoba.
While rivers and lakes have frozen over, the snow is not as thick, and it has come later than in previous years.
Weather is delaying the preparation of some trails for sledding, but a new free ice fishing village and skating rink in Lockport is embracing moderate conditions.
“It’s really been great for us so far this year,” said Eric Stone, owner of the Red River Cats. “The weather has been so pleasant that it has allowed us to put up signage and clear the roads. It’s been really great for us.”
Stone hopes the weather will allow his village to remain open until March.
No matter the winter activity, whether it’s skating, fishing or sledding, firefighters have a few safety reminders.
“With the weather being so hot it’s going to cause other issues,” said Dave Milner, chief of the Selkirk Fire Department. “The ice gets a little softer, you get a little more water when you’re sitting on top of the ice, people get stuck, people start to panic sometimes.”
Weather expert says climate change is causing persistently hot temperatures
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern will step down in February before the election
So far this year, volunteer firefighters in Selkirk haven’t had to respond to any thin-ice calls.
“We’re prepared for it but with the weather being like this, with the ice conditions changing so rapidly with the (river) current, it’s hard to predict,” Milner said. “You need to go there and see before you drive on the river.”
Milner also suggests snowmobiling with a friend, wearing a flotation suit, and dressing for the temperature.
As for the Sledgers, even though the weather has delayed their chances of hitting the trails, they remain upbeat.
“It will slow us down but it won’t stop,” Wall said.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.