Snowstorm continues: the worst is over for southern Manitoba Posted: 7:46 AM CDT Thursday, Apr. 14, 2022 Last Modified: 8:57 PM CDT Thursday, Apr. 14, 2022 Updates

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2022 (890 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Check here for the latest on this developing story, which will be updated throughout the day.

4:20 p.m.

Environment Canada has lifted its severe weather warnings in southern Manitoba now that the worst of the Colorado low is out of the way in that region.

Snowfall warnings remain in place for parts of central and northern Manitoba, including Swan River, Grand Rapids, Poplar River and Oxford House.

Volunteers reported unconfirmed snowfall totals of 60 centimetres in Killarney as of Thursday morning, the national forecaster said.

Other totals include 45 cm in Selkirk, 38 in St. Andrews, 35 in Morden and 32 in Sandy Hook.

Winnipeg had received between 20 and 30 cm.

3:28 p.m.

Canada Post said mail delivery is not expected to resume in southern Manitoba until Tuesday.

The federal Crown corporation suspended delivery Wednesday, as it issued a red alert.

Canada Post said it wasn’t safe to resume deliveries Thursday due to the ongoing storm.

Collections and deliveries do not take place on Good Friday or Easter Monday.

Canada Post asked Manitobans to clear snow and ice from their walkways, stairs and driveways to make them safer for carriers.

11:50

The City of Winnipeg has given an update on services affected by the storm.

Recycling and garbage collection days have been adjusted. Residents whose collection day is Wednesday can put their carts out on Friday. Residents whose collection day is Thursday can put their carts out on Saturday. Residents whose collection day is Friday can put their carts out on Sunday.

The Brady Road landfill and recycling centre will reopen Friday.

City libraries will remain closed on Good Friday and reopen Saturday.

Select indoor pools, fitness and leisure centres, and arenas will reopen Friday.

The city’s animal services agency will reopen Saturday.

Here is a list of affected City of Winnipeg services and programs.

10:30 a.m.

The worst of the storm sweeping across southern Manitoba is over — but the snowfall isn’t finished just yet.

“Most of the energy of the storm has now moved off into Ontario,” Terri Lang, a meteorologist for Environment Canada, said this morning. “We’re in what we call the backwash of the storm.”

Environment Canada predicts another 5 cm to 10 cm will likely fall throughout the southern part of the province before the system moves on. Southwestern Manitoba will likely receive the lightest amount.

Volunteers in Winnipeg recorded snow accumulation averages ranging from 21 cm to 25 cm on the high end, with reports as low as 6 cm to 14 cm.

The southwestern part of the province has been the hardest hit, with Portage la Prairie at 28 cm, Boissevain at 21 cm, Oak River at 18 cm and High Bluff at 16 cm. There is currently no reliable snow accumulation data for Brandon, Environment Canada said.

Environment Canada’s measurements were taken by volunteers for the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Canada, a network of individuals and groups who provide daily online updates.

“We ask people to do an average, because it’s notoriously difficult to measure snow in a blizzard… some places are scoured clean, and others have 10-foot drifts,” Lang said.

North of Winnipeg, Interlake communities of Argyle and Woodlands saw 26 cm and 13 cm, respectively. East of Winnipeg, Pinawa recorded 29 cm. The snow to the south of Winnipeg was relatively light, with Steinbach reporting 8 cm, St-Pierre-Jolys reporting 9 cm and Morris reporting 7 cm.

Winter storm warnings are still in place for all of southern Manitoba, as high winds continue to cause low visibility. Environment Canada expects northerly winds of 30 km/h to 40 km/h, with gusts reaching 50 km/h to 60 km/h, throughout today in much of southern Manitoba.

The winds will taper off throughout the evening into Friday.

Spring blizzard 2022

9:30 a.m.

Two closed Manitoba highways have since reopened.

Highway 6 from the Perimeter Highway to St. Laurent and Highway 7 from the Perimeter to Komarno are now open.

Highway 6 remains closed from St. Laurent to Lundar.

Click here for the latest highway conditions.

8 a.m.

There’s more shovelling in store for you today after snow fell overnight.

A winter storm warning remains in effect, with another 5 to 10 centimetres of snow expected in the Red River Valley today, including Winnipeg, Environment Canada said shortly after 4:30 a.m.

Another 2 cm of snow is forecast for Winnipeg tonight.

Today’s forecast includes blowing snow, a low of -8 C tonight, wind chill as low as -19 and wind from the north at 40 km/h gusting to 60.

7:15 a.m.

Crews are busy clearing city streets, sidewalks and active transportation paths this morning, the City of Winnipeg tweeted.

“Motorists are reminded to drive to conditions and stay back from heavy equipment working,” the city tweeted.

CAA Manitoba said it received only 106 calls throughout the province on Wednesday, compared with the average of about 400.

“It appears Manitobans heeded the warnings about the blizzard and chose to stay home when they could. We hope Manitobans continue to do so and stay safe and warm over the next few days,” CAA said in a news release Thursday morning.

“A reminder to our members to not drive on closed roads; we cannot send our drivers out on closed roads to help stranded people.”

6:30 a.m.

Many Manitoba highways remain closed, including the Perimeter Highway, the Trans-Canada Highway from Headingley to the Saskatchewan border, Highway 2 from the Perimeter Highway to Souris, Highway 3 from the Perimeter Highway to the south junction of Highway 83, Highway 6 from the Perimeter Highway to Lundar and Highway 7 from the Perimeter Highway to Komarno.

Click here for the latest highway conditions.

6:15 a.m.

Deliveries of today’s print edition of the Free Press have been delayed because of poor residential road conditions and highway closures. “While every attempt is being made to bring papers to you as soon as possible, they may not arrive until our next delivery day,” the Free Press said on its website. You can read our e-edition here.

In case you missed it

You can read Wednesday’s coverage of the snowstorm here.