Blizzard hits rural Manitoba, forces highway closures amid dangerous driving conditions

Blizzard conditions forced several highway closures, stranding drivers, and prompting RCMP to strongly discourage travel.

RCMP say the brunt of this blizzard is being felt outside Winnipeg, where open highways and strong winds are creating dangerous whiteout conditions across much of southern and eastern Manitoba.

As of 3:35 p.m., only Highway 1, from Hwy 207 to Hwy 11 remained closed. However, at its peak Highways 10, 75, 12 saw closures, according to Road Info Manitoba.

“There are people than need to get to point A to B so its there is going to be some people out and they need to be prepared for the worst,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre of Manitoba RCMP.

Terry Lang, meteorologist at the Environment and Climate Change Canada, said, “Being in the city you don’t often have a appreciation for how bad it can get out in rural areas.”

Carmen Verrier who drove from Ste-Anne to Steinbach, said, from the 12, to the 210 till Blumenort she saw about 5 cars in the ditch.

“We kept hitting the shoulder and said ‘oh there’s a shoulder’ and then went to the other side and said ‘oops there’s a shoulder,’ so it was fun, visibility was zero, but we enjoyed it,” Verrier said.

As conditions continue, authorities are cautioning drivers about the dangerous conditions.

“Drifts can be so rock hard and your driving in your car and you hit one of those drifts it can be quite dangerous,” warned Lang.

Meanwhile, RCMP are reminding drivers that road closures are not suggestions, as travelling on closed highways is an offence under the Highway Traffic Act.

They say cleanup efforts will depend largely on when winds begin to ease, with drifting snow continuing to undo plowing in rural areas.

Drivers can check the latest road closure information on Manitoba 511 website or on X @MBGovRoads.