More snow on tap; city to plow residential streets

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This article was published 16/12/2022 (1037 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Southern Manitobans are getting used to digging out as a weather system continues to drop “heart attack snow” that’s so wet and heavy it requires incredible effort to shovel it.

In Winnipeg, 10 to 18 centimetres of snow has fallen since Tuesday, Environment and Climate Change Canada reported, leaving roads slushy, slippery and rutted.

Periods of snow can be expected until Saturday evening, with four to six centimetres of accumulation. Blowing snow is expected in outlying areas as the wind gusts to 50 km/h.

“People need to plan their time, expect delays. As visibility is poor, it will slow things down,” said Natalie Hasell, a warning preparedness meteorologist.

CAA Manitoba received 385 calls Thursday, most of which were from drivers who needed to be towed after getting stuck in ditches or snowbanks, said spokeswoman Elisha Dacey. An additional 14 calls were made overnight until 7 a.m. Friday.

“It’s conceivable with the weather, especially outside the city, people are getting stuck. They’re going into ditches, they need a tow to get them out of whatever situation they’re in,” she said.

This number is only slightly higher than normal, as CAA usually gets between 300 and 350 calls a day, Dacey said.

“It’s not crazy just yet,” she said.

This is partly because the temperature isn’t frigid; people are able to shovel out their cars if they get stuck, Dacey said.

“It might also just be Winnipeggers being the awesome Winnipeggers they are and helping each other, pushing each other out when we get stuck,” she added.

In rural Manitoba, highway driving is treacherous, Dacey said.

“That always happens. I mean, life happens, and you need to go places, you need to work, you need to see family, you need to check in on people.”

Several schools in rural Manitoba closed on Friday due to dangerous driving conditions.

Dacey advises drivers to stay off roads that have been closed by police because CAA won’t be able to service them if they get stuck.

“If you’re out on the highway, you have to drive, it’s just about being slower, taking your time, being safe, letting people know where you’re going and when you should be there.”

Dacey said CAA is expecting more calls starting next week when the temperature is expected to drop.

“As the temperatures go down…when things (are) getting down to – 30 overnight, we’re going to start to see more battery calls, so things should pick up,” she said.

With a blowing snow advisory currently in place west of Winnipeg, Hasell said drivers need to be wary.

“Road conditions could be difficult from the snow we’ve already had and will continue to be difficult…for the snow that we’re going to receive today and tonight,” Hasell said.

The City of Winnipeg said crews will begin plowing residential streets at 7.a.m. Sunday, at which time a residential parking ban will kick in.

Drivers who leave vehicles parked on the street could receive a $200 ticket or be towed to a street nearby.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca