Challenging driving conditions are already occurring in parts of southern Manitoba on Friday morning.

A blizzard is expected to impact the province Friday. Not much new snowfall is expected, with most areas forecasted for 2 to 5 cm of snow. However, high winds with gusts up to 80 km/h will severely impact visibility and causing drifting snow on highways.

In western Manitoba, several highways were closed just before midnight. Snow and high winds had already begun in the region around 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Poor winter driving conditions led RCMP to close the following highways as of 10 a.m.:

  • Highway 75, from Winnipeg City Limits to the US Border

  • Highway 14, from Highway 75 to Plum Coulee

  • Highway 16, from Minnedosa to PR 352, is now closed.

  • Highway 16, from Highway 83 to the Saskatchewan border,

  • Highway 45, from Rossburn (PR 264) to Russell (PTH 16),

  • Highway 482, from Highway 83 to Highway 5.

The RCMP is reminding the public that highways that are closed may not always have police present or barricades to indicate their closure. Motorists should listen to the radio for updates and can check Manitoba Infrastructure's highway conditions map at the link below on the A-Z Electronics Road Reports & Cancellations Page.

Other highways that are open have blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility. That includes some highways in the Winnipeg region already. 

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