Crashes, traffic snarls reported as snow piles up in Winnipeg

Road conditions are a mess as the snowy conditions worsen in Winnipeg and around southern Manitoba.

There have been numerous reports of crashes in the city, on slick bridges and overpasses, as well as cars sliding into ditches off highways.

Traffic is extremely backed up and slow moving across Winnipeg, so give yourself extra time to get places.

On Lagimodiere Boulevard, just south of the Trans-Canada Highway, one of CBC's videographers was watching a car being pulled out of the ditch when another vehicle crashed into the CAA tow truck and just missed hitting the driver.

"I was just about to go around to the other side to use [a] switch and as I was walking towards it a car came careening down and just smashed into the back of the truck. He drove right over the flares, right through and into the back of the truck," said CAA driver James Smith.

"There's a lot of close calls in this job, unfortunately. People don't slow down like they should when they see an emergency vehicle. Even on a sunny day when you see an emergency vehicle you're supposed to slow down to like 60 or 70 in a 100 zone, and 40 in a 60 zone, and people don't. They never do.

"They never do and this is what happens and it could have been bad. It could have been really bad."

Traffic is extremely backed up and slow moving across Winnipeg, so give yourself extra time to get places.

Highway conditions

Crews have been out since 5 a.m. on Manitoba's highways, salting and sanding and plowing where needed, according to the province.

Manitoba Infrastructure says the biggest issue right now this morning is fog around the Carberry, Brandon and southwestern Manitoba areas.

In southern Manitoba, even on the well-travelled Trans-Canada Highway, the roads vary from bare pavement to snow covered, to ice covered.

Drivers are urged to be very aware of the road conditions.