Snowstorm closes some Manitoba schools, may disrupt home care

Several Manitoba divisions have closed schools and home care and other services may be disrupted by a snowstorm on Thursday.

Some highways were closed overnight and in the morning, but all highways had reopened shortly after 9 a.m.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for Winnipeg and southern Manitoba overnight as an Alberta clipper is expected to drop more snow in Manitoba through the morning.

Scott Kehler, president and chief scientist at Weatherlogics, said close to 15 centimetres had fallen in Winnipeg by 6 a.m. and the city will receive another 5 cm when all is said and done.

"Definitely the bulk of the snow has fallen.… The snow is not quite over, so this system is a bit uncharacteristic for an Alberta clipper," he said.

"Normally these clippers will move through very quickly over maybe four to six hours and drop a few centimetres, but this one is stalled."

Kehler said once the snow stops to expect "the beginning of a big deep freeze that we haven't seen so far this winter," with strong winds and temperatures forecast to drop in the south below –20 C.

A snowfall warning is also in effect for Westman, where up to 20 cm is expected by Thursday afternoon. Kehler said some areas around Riding Mountain National Park could get close to 30 cm.

Eastbound Highway 1 has reopened after being closed around 9 a.m. at Angle Road in Portage la Prairie due to a crash.

Highway 3 was reopened around 9 a.m. after being closed from Highway 34 south of Crystal City, east to where it intersects with Highway 14, and Highway 14 was closed from that intersection to Highway 75.

Highway 16 reopened shortly before 9 a.m. after being closed from Neepawa to Highway 50, as did the Perimeter Highway around Winnipeg, which was closed overnight.

The City of Winnipeg said plowing of major roads, sidewalks and bike lanes would start Wednesday night. Plows were out on the roads early Thursday as well.

More closure information is available on the Manitoba Highways website.

Due to road conditions, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has said home care and other community health services may be cancelled or delayed due to the weather. Clients whose appointments are postponed or cancelled will be called by phone, the WRHA said, and those wishing to reschedule can call 204-788-8331.

Some parts of the north are also facing an extreme cold warning: Lynn Lake, Leaf Rapids, Pukatawagan, Brochet and other parts of northwestern Manitoba could feel as cold as –45 and –50.

As of 6:30 a.m. CT, divisions that have closed for the day include:

• Lord Selkirk School Division (staff are not to come in).
• Hanover School Division (staff are to work from home).
• Red River Valley School Division (staff are to work from home).
• Western School Division (staff to come in when safe).
• Border Land School Division.
• Seine River School Division.
• Prairie Rose School Division.
• Garden Valley School Division.
• Evergreen School Division.
• Sunrise School Division.
• Interlake School Division.

A partial closure was announced in Prairie Spirit School Division, with no buses running and schools closed in the Manitou area. 

Rolling River School Division has cancelled buses and closed colony schools.

Schools are open in Beautiful Plains Division, but buses are not running, and in Gretna, all Grade 9 to 12 classes are cancelled.