The first major winter weather event has moved through the Central Plains and a good part of Manitoba. The result is a tough morning for Manitoba roads which has resulted in closed highways and some school closures. Many school buses in the area will not be running as well.
As of 9 a.m., the Trans-Canada highway (highway #1) is closed in both directions from Austin (1 and 34) to the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border.
full list of road closures and cancellations
With conditions on many roads considered dangerous, it is no surprise many school buses are not running and some schools have been outright closed.
-Portage School Division: All buses WILL NOT be running. This includes in-town bus routes and shuttles. Hutterian and Oakville schools are closed.
-Pine Creek School Division: All schools are closed. Buses are not running. Staff are expected to work from home.
-Rolling River School Division: All schools are closed.
-Prairie Rose School Division: All schools in Region A are closed today
-No day care vans/transportation is running today in Portage including Wee World Daycare vans.
-Happy Rock Children's Centre is closed today.
While the snow sems to have let up for the most part this morning, a further 5 centimeters is in the forecast today and visibility will be reduced in blowing snow with the wind gusting as high a 60 km/h. A special weather statement remains in effect for Portage la Prairie and the surrounding area with winter storm warning still in effect to the west including Brandon.
The following highways remain closed as of 9:00 a.m.
Highway 1, from Sidney to the Saskatchewan Border
Highway 3, from Hwy 21 to S. Jct. Hwy 18 (Boissevain/Killarney area)
Highway 5, from Hwy 357 to Grandview
Highway 5, from Russell to Saskatchewan Border
Highway 10, from Hwy 25 to N. Jct. Hwy 23
Highway 10, in Riding Mountain National Park
Highway 10, from N. Ent. Riding Mountain National Park to Dauphin
Highway 10, from Dauphin to Cowan
Highway 10, from N. Jct. Hwy 23 to Hwy 3
Highway 20, from north of Dauphin to Hwy 267
Highway 68, from Highway 5 to Lake Manitoba Narrows
Highway 272, from Hwy 20 to Duck Bay
Highway 276, from Hwy 5 to Hwy 481
Highway 482, from Hwy 5 to Hwy 83.
These closures are due to poor winter driving conditions, caused by blowing snow and poor visibility.
Please note: Closure gates and/or variable message signs may not be present at closure locations.