All school divisions in the City of Winnipeg have made the decision to close schools, and most are cancelling classes for the rest of the week.

"Metro Winnipeg Superintendents have determined that, due to the expected severity of the expected spring storm this week, schools and division offices across the city will be closed Wednesday, April 13 and Thursday, April 14," a notice sent out to Winnipeg School Division staff on Tuesday evening says.

Pembina Trails schools will be closed, but the division says that teachers and students will move to remote learning for Wednesday and Thursday. 

"All staff, except those identified as critical for school and building operations, are asked to remain at home during these two days to avoid contributing to an expected emergent state on roads and highways in and around Winnipeg."

Earlier in the evening, Manitoba RCMP announced that all major highways in southern Manitoba would be closed at midnight or as snow begins to fall. The preemptive moves on such a large scale are unprecedented as Manitobans brace for what could be the worst snowstorm since the blizzard of April 1997.

The WSD says it's encouraging its staff to work ahead as they're able. St. James-Assiniboia School Division said in its release that all childcare facilities connected to the division would also be closed. 

Closures and cancellations of affected school divisions include Winnipeg, Louis-Riel, River East Transcona, Seven Oaks, and St. James-Assiniboia.

Students were already off on Friday this week for Good Friday, making for a two-day school week, just one week after Spring Break ended.

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Update at 10:30 p.m. to clarify that Pembina Trails will offer remote learning.