Highways are gradually reopening across southern Manitoba after a blizzard brought whiteout conditions, dangerous wind gusts, and numerous multi-vehicle collisions to the region.
Major highways reopening in the region include the Perimeter Highway and Highway 1 from Deacon’s Corner to Hadashville.
However, the Trans-Canada remains closed as of 5 p.m. from Brandon to Winnipeg, and from Winnipeg to Deacon’s Corner due to a serious collision.
You can find the latest road conditions here.
A chaotic day on highways
Images on social media show chaotic scenes on major routes, with pileups involving anywhere from a handful of vehicles to dozens.
Manitoba RCMP reported that over 30 collisions were recorded on highways in southern Manitoba during the storm. There is still no word on injuries or fatalities.
Wind gusts topped 100 km/h in areas like Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg, creating near-zero visibility and prompting widespread road closures.
At 12:40 p.m., the province issued a release asking motorists to avoid highways, citing hazardous conditions and the strain on emergency response teams.
From mild, to wild, to dangerously frigid.
The blizzard warning has now ended for Winnipeg and much of southern Manitoba, but a new danger is emerging: extreme cold.
Temperatures are expected to plummet overnight, with a low of -25°C and a wind chill near -35°C forecasted for Winnipeg.
Saturday’s high is forecasted at -23°C, with wind chills dropping to -38°C.
Frostbite risks are high, and extreme cold warnings are already in effect for parts of western Manitoba, with more likely to follow.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution as roads may remain icy and snow-packed despite clearing efforts.
With files from Shannon Dueck