Shovels are not going anywhere anytime soon as Manitobans embrace snow and ice this weekend and early next week.

While a meteorologist with Environment Canada does not hold the adage "in like a lamb out like a lion" to its word, it does appear to be true this year. 

"It was pretty quiet at the beginning of March. I do not know how much that saying actually applied here because it is not from here, I think it's from England, but yes. In some ways, it is going to be out like a lion," Natalie Hazel says.

The prairie province will see consistently icy conditions in the central part of its borders, including Winnipeg, this weekend into early next week. They also are anticipating huge temperature changes and winds, fluctuating in the double digits both in the pluses and minuses. These changes will happen between day and night.

"The big shift in temperatures during the day does not really recuperate until later in the week."

Precipitation will fluctuate between snow and rain throughout the next week. While the amount of precipitation expected to fall in Winnipeg is not extreme, the difficult part will be it staying. Hazel says to expect a cycle of precipitation, ice build-up during the evenings, and melting during the day.

The northern half of the province is set to be hit even harder by the storm.

"The further north you go, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, it is just much nastier weather."

Because of the blowing snow and winds, it may not be possible to calculate how much snow they will get but Hazel anticipates between 10-20 cm to fall.

Manitoba Hydro is asking Manitobans to prepare for the major snowstorm. On Friday hydro crews were backed up at Friday's weather combined with the current strike brought difficulties.

Environment Canada is asking Manitobans to cancel weekend travel plans in anticipation of dangerous road conditions. 

"If you must drive, be prepared for poor conditions," they tweet, advising people to refer to Manitoba Roads if out.

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