Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Staple of Manitoba winter -- the blizzard -- returns

By: Bill Redekop and Kevin Rollason

Posted: 01/12/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 01/12/2013 9:35 AM | Updates

A pedestrian fights the high north wind in River Heights Friday as conditions worsen. (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store

It doesn't require any snow

Contrary to popular belief, a blizzard doesn't necessarily mean snow is falling.

Environment Canada says blizzards are really about blowing snow and poor visibility, not snowfall, and can occur even with no new snow.

According to the weather service, a blizzard is defined as occurring "when winds of 40 km/h or greater are expected to cause widespread reductions in visibility to 400 metres or less due to blowing snow or blowing snow in combination with falling snow, for at least four hours."

The last blizzard warning before Friday's alert issued for Winnipeg was March 11, 2011.

Manitobans were reminded of what a blizzard feels like when howling winds and an expected 10 to 15 centimetres of snow blew through southern Manitoba Friday night.

RCMP were warning motorists to avoid highways if possible. Many flights were delayed Friday evening at Richardson International Airport and many rural school divisions cancelled classes.

"We're expecting the conditions to be really bad," said Natalie Hasell, warning preparedness meteorologist at Environment Canada, heading into Friday night. Snowfall was expected to be whipped up and sculpted into deep snowdrifts by northerly winds of 50 km/h gusting up to 70 km/h.

The City of Winnipeg said it could be looking at a $3-million to $4-million cleanup if the blizzard turns out to be as severe as forecast.

A 10- to 15-cm snowfall is almost just a "normal" cleanup costing in the $750,000 range, said Ken Boyd, city manager of streets and maintenance.

It's the wind in this storm that could drive up costs. Wind causes drifting, which could require graders in addition to truck plows to clear snow. It could also require clearing of residential streets in addition to just main thoroughfares and bus routes.

Also, because strong winds of 40 to 60 km/h could last into Sunday, streets may need to be cleaned more than once even though snow is expected to stop Saturday morning. Wind could also fill in sidewalks, he said.

A wind chill of -34 was expected overnight Friday due to unabated northerly winds of 50 km/h gusting to 70 km/h.

The Colorado low moved in from the Dakotas, crossing the border into southern Manitoba Friday afternoon. That was on the heels of overnight freezing drizzle.

On Friday evening, the province announced the Trans-Canada Highway was closed from Headingley to Virden.

In Winnipeg, up to 150 plows, loaders and sand and salt spreaders were to roll out Friday night on main routes, bus routes and collector streets. About 25 spreader trucks were on the streets early Friday already, after overnight freezing rain made roads slick.

The city's snow-clearing budget for 2013 is $31 million and this will be the year's first major cleanup.

The blizzard was expected to end this morning when winds will still be 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. The forecast high is -19 C with a windchill of -35.

Meanwhile, at least 50 passengers were stranded at the Greyhound bus depot at the city's airport Friday night. Some had been stranded since Thursday night. The majority of passengers booked themselves into a hotel at their own expense but at least seven were spending the night in the hard chairs inside the depot.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 12, 2013 B3

History

Updated on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 9:34 AM CST: adds photo

9:35 AM: adds fact box

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.