It was fun – and warm – while it lasted, Manitoba.

After a few weeks of above-average temperatures, the mercury is set to drop, and snow is expected to arrive in the southern part of the province. 

A weakening low pressure system will bring light snow or flurries to eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba as of Tuesday morning, followed by a series of stronger systems giving a swath of 5 to 10 cm of wet snow to most regions. 

"It seems like the first snowfall of the year always catches you off guard," says senior meteorologist Chris Stammers of Environment and Climate Change Canada. In this case, we will have a pair of snowfalls to contend with, he notes. 

"It'll actually be back-to-back systems affecting Manitoba," says Stammers. "I'm sure a lot of (the snow) will stick around and make things pretty messy for the drive the next couple of days." 

Environment and Climate Change Canada reminds commuters to prepare for winter driving conditions and falling temperatures.

For those hoping to return to above seasonal temperatures, the forecast isn't look too promising. 

"The long range – at least the next few weeks – looks cold," says Stammers bluntly. 

Seasonal highs in the mid-single digits are expected this time of year, though Winnipeg is forecast to be below freezing by the weekend.