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A blizzard gusting across southern Manitoba is leaving a long list of highway and school closures.
An Alberta Clipper, with winds gusting to 90 km/h, is creating a shroud of blowing snow and cutting visibility to near zero in places. It is expected to bring 10-20 centimetres of snow across the region — with higher amounts possible in some areas — before ending later in the day.
There are also winter storm warnings in southeast Manitoba and extreme cold warnings for the north. A detailed list of the weather alerts and areas impacted is on the Environment Canada website.
The following school divisions have closed all schools:
- Beautiful Plains.
- Border Land.
- Evergreen.
- Fort La Bosse.
- Franco-Manitoban (all except for Thompson).
- Garden Valley.
- Hanover.
- Interlake.
- Lord Selkirk.
- Prairie Rose.
- Prairie Spirit.
- Red River Valley.
- Seine River.
- Turtle Mountain.
- Rolling River.
Schools are open in the Winnipeg School Division but all buses have been cancelled. Check the division website for updates.
Brandon School Division buses are not operating outside the city, where the storm has closed Alexander, O’Kelly and Spring Valley schools. All other schools are open and buses are running within the city. However, attendance is at parental discretion where travel is required.
Portions of the Trans-Canada Highway are closed, along with many more around the province.
The Winnipeg Police Service posted an advisory on social media that deteriorating road conditions have closed the Perimeter Highway between Fermor Avenue and Dugald Road.
“In addition, some roads within the city have become difficult to navigate due to drifts and snow cover. It is recommended that motorists avoid road travel this morning and shelter in place until conditions have improved,” the message says.
A complete list of travel information and road conditions is available on the Manitoba government website.
The storm has also impacted exam time for post-secondary students. The University of Manitoba is closed and all exams scheduled for the day have been rescheduled for Saturday.
Students unable to attend on Dec. 20 should contact their faculty directly as soon as possible, the U of M said in a news release.
At this time, exams scheduled for Friday will proceed as scheduled.
RRC Polytech’s Winnipeg campuses are closed until at least 11 a.m., states a news release from the school. That includes the Notre Dame, Exchange District and Stevenson Winnipeg campuses.
Regional campuses are all closed and classes have been moved online.
Updates about whether the Winnipeg campuses will reopen or remain closed for the day will be sent out as soon as possible.
