File Photo: A person shovels snow in Saskatoon, Sask., Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Environment Canada has issued a Blizzard Warning for Saskatoon as an Alberta clipper tracks across the Prairies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
A worker blows snow in front of the Alberta legislature during a heavy snowfall in Edmonton on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
File Photo: A person shovels snow in Saskatoon, Sask., Monday, Feb. 26, 2024. Environment Canada has issued a Blizzard Warning for Saskatoon as an Alberta clipper tracks across the Prairies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
HCY
A worker blows snow in front of the Alberta legislature during a heavy snowfall in Edmonton on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
WINNIPEG - Blizzard conditions have made for hazardous driving environments across much of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, prompting school closures in many areas.
Many roads in southern Manitoba were closed Thursday morning, including sections of the Trans-Canada Highway and the Perimeter Highway surrounding Winnipeg.聽
Schools in many areas, including Winnipeg, are closed, as are the University of Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba and RRC Polytechnic.
Winnipeg police have advised motorists to avoid road travel and stay home.
Manitoba RCMP said they received 11 reports of vehicle collisions and 20 stranded drivers overnight.
"There's been no injuries. I don't even think we have a collision between vehicles right now. It's just all single vehicle mishaps where people are going into the ditch," Sgt. Paul Manaigre said Thursday morning.聽
"So, fingers crossed that the worst is behind us."
Some parts of the Prairies are expected to receive up to 20 centimetres of snow before the storm passes through. Environment and Climate Change Canada said the gusty winds and blowing snow are expected to taper off late Thursday.聽
Outreach teams in Winnipeg began planning for the storm on Wednesday. Main Street Project said vans were on the road doing checks on individuals living in encampments and bus shelters, and offering transportation to safe places.聽
Cindy Titus, interim director of development at the shelter, said extreme weather days means it's all hands on deck.聽
"It's a busy place. Lots of people coming in for support, needing warm clothing, mittens, winter clothing and stuff like that."
In Saskatchewan, Mounties say they had 82 reports of crashes, not including vehicles stuck in snow.
Winter storm warnings have also been issued across north-central Ontario and into Quebec, with up to 30 centimetres of snow forecast.
On Wednesday, the weather system kept police busy in Alberta, dealing with dozens of collisions due to very icy conditions.
One major route in Alberta saw police respond to a widespread pileup and delay involving 80 to 100 cars, closing the Queen Elizabeth II Highway between Calgary and Airdrie.
This report by 好色tvwas first published Dec. 18, 2025.