Most of Manitoba under extreme wind chill warning

Environment Canada has issued wind chill warnings for most of Manitoba after a wicked storm hit the province Saturday morning. A blowing snow warning for most of Southern Manitoba has since ended.

Meteorologist Mike McDonald told CBC news some roads have been down to zero visibility due to blowing snow during the storm. 

"That's a blizzard, here in the city because of the trees and buildings we're sheltered so visibility is quite variable across the city, well near zero in open areas about one kilometre, so not quite a blizzard in the city, but once you get outside the Perimeter Highway it gets pretty bad," said McDonald referring to the visibility in and surrounding Winnipeg. 

Due to the bad weather the City of Winnipeg has closed its three cemeteries: Transcona, St. Vital and Brookside until further notice.

City crews are currently out plowing major routes, and will do bus and collector routes after that.  Sidewalks will be cleared tonight starting at 7 pm.

According to Environment Canada an Alberta clipper will track through North Dakota causing storm-like conditions in southern Manitoba.

Heavy snowfall in central regions

The heaviest snowfall was in Central Manitoba stretching from Dauphin through to Selkirk and through Whiteshell with a total accumulation of 10 to 15 centimetres. A winter snow storm warning was issued earlier today for Selkirk and Dugald due to heavy snow and blowing snow. 

A blowing snow warning has since ended for Winnipeg and the Portage region, after poor visibility on the roads. 

Temperatures are also expected to fall dramatically with a wind chill warning throughout most of the province. 

With the wind chill it's supposed to feel between -40 and -45 in most regions. Environment Canada is reminding people that exposed skin may experience frostbite in less than 10 minutes in these extreme cold conditions. 

It's also predicted that the freezing temperatures will continue for the remainder of the year. 

The only area not under a wind chill or blowing snow warning is the central part of Manitoba including The Pas, Westray, Norway House, Cross Lake, Oxford House and Gods Lake.