Strong winds blast Prairies, Central Canada

Remnants of a massive storm that had a barometric pressure comparable to a hurricane are blowing through blow through some parts of Canada and the U.S.

The low-pressure system continued to bring strong winds for another day from the Prairies to Quebec. Wind warnings of gusts of up to 90 km/h remained in place Wednesday evening for portions of southern Manitoba, northern Ontario and northern Quebec.

Wind warnings for southern Ontario posted earlier in the day have been cancelled.

Environment Canada said winter storm warnings are still in place for northern Manitoba, with strong winds and an additional 10 centimetres of snow expected in some areas.

On Tuesday, the record-breaking low pressure system, known as a weather bomb and equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane, brought at least 20 centimetres of snow to Saskatchewan, heavy rain to Manitoba and winds that approached 100 km/h. 

"Definitely a huge storm, and one that was so diverse," CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe said. "I have a feeling future meteorologists will be doing case studies on this."

In Saskatchewan, according to the RCMP, the winter weather produced 40 motor vehicle crashes, including rollovers and vehicles sliding into ditches. At least five semi-trailer units jackknifed on slippery roads and crashed.

In the U.S., the storm packed wind gusts of up to 130 km/h Tuesday across the Midwest and South, snapping trees and power lines, ripping off roofs and delaying flights. At least 26 tornadoes were reported.

The storm continued its trek early Wednesday, with snow falling in the Dakotas and Minnesota. More strong winds were in the forecast in several other states.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the system's pressure reading Tuesday was among the lowest ever in a non-tropical storm in the mainland U.S.

Spokeswoman Susan Buchanan said the storm was in the top five in terms of low pressure, which brings greater winds.

U.S. meteorologists said the storm's barometric pressure readings were comparable to those of a Category 3 hurricane but with much weaker winds. The wind gusts were only as strong as a tropical storm.

About 500 flights were cancelled and others delayed at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, a major hub for American and United airlines. The storms also disrupted flights at the Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Minneapolis airports.