Snowstorm closes highways across southern Manitoba

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Sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and several other highways across southern Manitoba have been closed due to reduced visibility in blowing snow as a winter storm slams the region. Visit Manitoba 511 for the latest highway conditions.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/03/2024 (580 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and several other highways across southern Manitoba have been closed due to reduced visibility in blowing snow as a winter storm slams the region. Visit Manitoba 511 for the latest highway conditions.

In Winnipeg, a snowfall warning is in effect, with 10 cm to 15 cm expected to fall until Thursday morning.

Environment Canada said in a statement posted on its website that a low-pressure system will move into the area, with a potential for “bands of more vigorous snow production.”

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Pedestrians and cars navigate snowy conditions on Broadway on Wednesday as a winter storm moves into the region.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Pedestrians and cars navigate snowy conditions on Broadway on Wednesday as a winter storm moves into the region.

The bands will result in significant snowfall, causing visibility to drop to near zero and snowfall to accumulate very quickly in some places, Environment Canada said.

“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. There may be a significant impact on rush-hour traffic in urban areas,” the website states.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.”

The City of Winnipeg said crews would start plowing main routes, sidewalks and pathways Wednesday night and back lanes Thursday morning.

“We are monitoring road conditions and will apply sand and/or salt to improve roadway traction as required,” the city said earlier Wednesday.

The city’s annual winter route parking ban, which prohibits parking between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on streets designated as winter routes, remains in effect. Winter routes are marked by signage.

Parts of several highways, including the Trans-Canada from the Saskatchewan border to Highway 34, around Austin, were closed Wednesday afternoon.

The city and provincial governments are reminding drivers to be careful around heavy equipment. Three provincially operated snow plows were involved in collisions while operating between Saturday and Monday, a provincial news release said.

An eastbound semi-truck struck a snowplow parked on the shoulder of the Trans-Canada Highway on the Portage la Prairie bypass on Monday, a provincial spokesperson said.

Later that day, while the Trans-Canada Highway was closed near Highway 83, a heavy commercial vehicle tried to pass two snowplows, causing a collision. RCMP charged that driver for driving on a closed road, the spokesperson said, and one government employee was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said community health services, particularly home care services, might be affected Wednesday night and Thursday because of the weather.

“Every effort will be made to maintain existing schedules,” a news release stated. “However, some weather-related delays or cancellations may be inevitable.”

Clients whose visits will be postponed or cancelled can expect to be contacted by phone, the WRHA said. Clients who want to cancel or postpone their visits can contact their case co-ordinator or nurse, or call the after-hours service line at 204-788-8331.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

History

Updated on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 2:22 PM CST: Adds information from WRHA

Updated on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 5:47 PM CST: Adds highway closures

Updated on Thursday, March 7, 2024 12:52 AM CST: Removes specific highway closures.

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