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A powerful winter storm continues to disrupt the Prairies, causing significant snowfall, dangerous winds, and widespread travel chaos across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. As the system stalls over southern Manitoba, both provinces are grappling with hazardous conditions, including closed highways, school cancellations, and severe weather warnings.
Significant Snowfall and Dangerous Winds Across the Prairies
The storm has unleashed up to 40 cm of snow in parts of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba, with strong winds of up to 70 km/h creating near whiteout conditions. In Saskatchewan, snowfall has tapered off, leaving only light snow near the Manitoba border. However, Manitoba remains heavily impacted, with additional snow expected in the western regions and up to 20 cm possible in the north. In Winnipeg, heavy rain transitioned to snow overnight, with accumulations ranging from 5 cm near Lake Winnipeg to 15 cm in the western Red River Valley by Wednesday evening.
Major Highway Closures and Travel Disruptions
Travel has been severely impacted, with major highway closures, including stretches of the Trans-Canada Highway 1, from the town of Austin to the Saskatchewan border. Other roads are also closed from Camperville in the north to Minto in the south. The storm has caused multiple collisions, particularly in Saskatchewan, where RCMP responded to 44 vehicle accidents, mostly involving vehicles sliding into ditches or jackknifed semis.
Real-time highway conditions can be accessed via the Manitoba government’s interactive map.
School and Bus Cancellations
The severe weather has also led to widespread school and bus service cancellations across Manitoba. A number of school divisions have either closed or canceled bus service, including:
- Closed Divisions: Southwest Horizon, Beautiful Plains, Park West, Fort La Bosse, Rolling River, Prairie Spirit, Mountain View, and Region A of Prairie Rose School Division.
- Brandon School Division: Buses are not running outside the city, affecting schools such as Alexander, O’Kelly, and Spring Valley Colony. Schools within the city remain open, but attendance is at parental discretion.
- Franco-Manitoban Division: Several schools, including École Saint-Lazare, École La Source, and École Notre-Dame de Lourdes, have canceled classes for the day.
Winter Storm Warnings and What’s Ahead
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued winter storm warnings and cautioned residents about the dangers of traveling in whiteout conditions. ECCC advises considering postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve and to prepare for rapidly changing weather.
While the storm is expected to ease by Wednesday evening, another round of snow is expected to hit the southern and central Prairies this weekend. The exact impact zones and snow totals are still being monitored, but widespread travel disruptions are anticipated.
Stay Informed and Safe
As the first major winter storm of the season continues to affect the Prairies, residents are urged to stay informed through local weather updates, monitor travel advisories, and exercise caution on the roads.
For further updates and images of the storm’s impact across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, stay tuned.
Source: Swifteradio.com
