Highways reopen after winter storm blows through southern Manitoba
4th storm to hit southern Manitoba in a month; declared parking ban in effect in Winnipeg
Most Manitoba highways are now open after a winter storm created dangerous whiteout conditions on Monday and Tuesday.
Highways 14, 23 and 75 were reopened Tuesday afternoon just shortly before Environment Canada lifted all winter storm warnings for southern Manitoba. Extreme cold warnings remain in effect for areas in southwestern Manitoba.
The storm system was centred in the United States but spilled over the border into Manitoba. The blowing snow arrived in the afternoon afternoon and left up to 15 centimetres of snow in some places.
Strong northwest winds, especially in the Red River Valley where gusts reached 60 km/h, whipped up that fresh snow and creating blinding conditions.
Estimated snowfall amounts based on reports from volunteers collected by Environment Canada:
- Winnipeg 5 to 10 cm.
- West of Red River Valley 5 cm.
- East of Red River Valley 15 cm.
Most schools in the province are still on Christmas break, but there are some intersession classes at Providence University College and Theological Seminary, 50 km southeast of Winnipeg in Otterburne.
Those classes were delayed due to the storm. They didn't start until 1 p.m. Tuesday, school officials said.
- 'White knuckler' snowstorm slams southern Manitoba
- Winnipeg on its way to snowiest December in a century
People driving with their flashers on on highway 207. Watch some lanes... blown in. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcmb?src=hash">#cbcmb</a> <a href="https://t.co/QbDyYw4v5a">pic.twitter.com/QbDyYw4v5a</a>
—@CBCMeaghanKThis is the third storm in a week to hit southern Manitoba and the fourth in the past month.
Winnipeg had more than 70 cm of snow in December, thanks to a storm that dumped a heavy load on Dec. 6, followed by a powerful Colorado low that brought blizzard-like conditions on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and then an Alberta clipper that brushed past at the end of the month.
The clipper was expected to hit a lot harder but only nudged Manitoba instead.
Winnipeg responds to storm
Bus service in the Sage Creek area was cancelled and Handi-Transit was facing delays — clients were asked to cancel non-essential trips Tuesday by calling 204-986-5711.
Meanwhile, a declared snow route parking ban has been put in effect overnight. Rather than the typical 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. residential snow clearing parking ban, city crews will now be out on the streets two hours longer, from midnight to 7 a.m.
Vehicles parked on the road in affected areas may be towed or ticketed.
The city's Know Your Zone app includes snow clearing details, including an index of what neighbourhoods fall into what snow clearing zones.
Based on the 30 years from 1981 to 2010, the average snowfall in Winnipeg for December is 19.8 cm, according to CBC meteorologist John Sauder.
Winnipeg forecast for Jan. 3
- High –19 C (wind chill –34).
- Blowing snow in open areas this morning. About 2 cm expected.
- Wind north 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h.
- Snow ending near noon, then cloudy.
- Clearing near midnight.
- Wind becoming light overnight.
- Low –27 C (wind chill –38).
Normal temperatures for this time of year are a daytime high of -13 C and an overnight low of -23 C.