Winnipeggers struggle over frozen pipes

Winnipeggers struggle over frozen pipes

Everyone loves snow days and beautiful weather the winter brings. But sometimes too much snow can bring some problems like difficult driving conditions and power outages. The winter forecast for Canada shows different temperatures and not as much snow, as it was last year.

Based on the North American Ensemble Forecast System's values (NAEFS), Hasell said, "Looking at the values for the sixth of March to the 13th of March most models are pointing to below normal temperatures continuing at least in southern Manitoba. That doesn't mean extreme cold necessarily but it does mean below normal."

A total of 889 properties have dealt with frozen pipes so far this winter, and as the cold weather continues, city-owned pipes have seen the biggest spike over the past few weeks.

About 46 city-side pipes have had to be thawed since last Friday, according to the latest report from the city, bringing the totals up for the winter to 90 for city pipes.

For Winnipeggers, the cold isn’t going away any time soon. Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the -20 to -30 C ranges for at least a week, and long-range models from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicates temperatures are likely to stay below normal until nearly the middle of March.

So far, 652 properties have dealt with frozen internal plumbing, 147 pipes on the property-owners’ side have frozen, and 90 have frozen on the city’s portion of pipes.

The numbers should slow as the weather warms up, although the forecast calls for below-average temperatures through the end of next week.

Those who may be dealing with frozen pipes can call a plumber, call 311 or try to thaw the pipes themselves. Please follow the link below to find more information on how to prevent frozen water pipes:

https://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/water/frozenPipes/prevent.stm

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