Environment Canada has issued a storm watch for all of southern Manitoba including the Cities of Winnipeg and Brandon.

An intense Colorado low will significantly impact southern Manitoba beginning on Christmas Day and continuing into Boxing Day.

Snow, heavy at times, along with strong north winds and blowing snow is expected to increase on the afternoon of Christmas Day, be at its worst Sunday night and early Monday morning, then improve Monday afternoon.

Current indications are that 15 to 30 cm of snow with either blizzard or near blizzard conditions will impact much of southern Manitoba, with amounts lessening towards the north.

People planning on travelling should take into consideration that this same storm system will affect southeastern Saskatchewan as well as the Dakotas.

Avoid travel if possible. Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations.