Highways reopen after winter storm blows through southern Manitoba

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 wascentred in the United States butspilledover the border into Manitoba. The blowing snowarrived in the afternoon afternoon and left up to 15 centimetres of snow in some places.

• Environment Canada weather alerts for Manitoba
• Manitoba highway information and conditions

Strong northwestwinds, especially in the Red River Valleywhere gustsreached60 km/h, whippedup 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

This 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.

Dangerous whiteout conditions on many highways

8 years ago

Duration 0:50

A winter storm continues to blast parts of southern Manitoba, causing dangerous whiteout conditions on many roads.

Winnipeg responds to storm

Bus service in the Sage Creek area wascancelled and Handi-Transitwasfacing delays clients wereasked to cancel non-essential trips Tuesday by calling204-986-5711.

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 JohnSauder.

Winnipeg forecast for Jan. 3

• High 19 C (wind chill34).
• 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.
• Low27 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.