Heavy snow is falling in parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Ontario on Wednesday as a major winter storm moves eastward through the provinces.
Environment Canada says southeastern Saskatchewan is now facing blizzard conditions, with northerly wind gusts of up to 90 km/h. Blizzard conditions are also developing in southern Manitoba, with northeast winds gusting as high as 70 km/h.
Winter storm warnings are also in place for other parts of Manitoba and Ontario.
Travel conditions in the affected areas are expected to worsen on Wednesday night, with wind gusts and blowing snow making roads unsafe for motorists.
Here’s what you can expect:
Wednesday evening: Travel could become impossible
Roads in southeastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba could be treacherous due to snowfall accumulation and blowing snow, with near-zero visibility in places. People should avoid travel or expect delays if they attempt to travel.
In southern Manitoba, several stretches of highway are closed due to the weather. For an updated list of road conditions and closures, visit the Manitoba 511 page.
Some Saskatchewan highways close to the Manitoba border are also closed. Get updated information on Saskatchewan road closures on the Highway Hotline website.
By Wednesday evening, travel within cities or communities may become impossible due to the accumulation of snow and low visibility, Environment Canada warned.
Wind and snow are also picking up in northwestern Ontario. Environment Canada is warning of heavy rainfall in the Thunder Bay area later on Wednesday, adding that road closures were also possible in northern Ontario, as the storm shifts east.
Environment Canada says communities outside of the areas where snowfall warnings have been issued will also be affected by the storm. Although they will likely see lesser snowfall, “conditions will likely be difficult,” including the potential for reduced visibility.
Wednesday night: Storm shifts eastward
In Saskatchewan, the blizzard is expected to gradually ease overnight into Thursday, with winds tapering off. Snow will likely continue, but will not be as severe as on Wednesday, Environment Canada said. But a cold night lies ahead for Saskatchewan, with a wind chill of -17 C in the forecast.
Blizzard conditions will persist in most of southern Manitoba through the night. The temperature in Brandon is expected to drop on Wednesday night, with a wind chill of -16 C.
In northern Ontario, snow could fall at a rate of up to four centimetres per hour on Wednesday night, with strong wind gusts of up to 70 km/h. Blowing snow means visibility could be near zero, Environment Canada warned. Its forecast predicts a wind chill of -11 C in Kenora on Wednesday night.
The Weather Network’s Nicole Karkic on what to expect as a storm batters three provinces this week. 1:11
Wednesday through Friday: Possible power outages
Environment Canada and hydroelectric companies say people should be prepared for power cuts as the storm barrels through.
As the weight of the snow and strength of the winds increased, Manitoba Hydro was reporting a number of power outages throughout the south.
The company says it has put all staff in the storm zone — from front-line workers to back-end and IT staff — on notice that they might be needed, and has plans in place to quickly deploy crews from Winnipeg to any particularly hard-hit areas.
Hydro One, one of northern Ontario’s two electricity operators, said it was preparing for possible outages in the same areas that were affected by a storm a week ago, where more than 35,000 customers lost power.
“We are urging customers to be prepared in case of an extended power outage … Poor driving conditions and road closures may delay power outage restoration efforts,” Hydro One said in a statement on its website.
For tips on how to prepare for an outage, visit the Manitoba Hydro website, the SaskPower website, and the Synergy North website and Hydro One website in Ontario.
Thursday morning: Schools remain closed
Most southern Manitoba schools and some in southern Saskatchewan will remain closed on Thursday.
You can read a list of school closures for Manitoba here.
Flurries are swirling across Manitoba from a heavy storm forecasted to linger over the province for several days. 0:31
In Saskatchewan, the South East Cornerstone Public School Division in Weyburn advised parents and staff that it would be cancelling classes and programs on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday was the first snow day for Winnipeg students since April 1997, when a three-day blizzard hit southern Manitoba, leading to what became known as “the flood of the century.”
Natalie Hasell, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s warning preparedness meteorologist, suggested during a briefing on Tuesday that people should consider remote work options while the storm continues.
Thursday: Heavy snow in northwestern Ontario
Heavy snow is expected in northwestern Ontario into Thursday morning before tapering off. Strong winds are also expected, and blowing snow could reduce visibility to near zero.
Thunder Bay and areas along the north shore of Lake Superior are also expected to receive up to 10 centimetres of snow, as well as ice pellets and freezing rain, by Thursday morning.
That snow is expected to continue through Thursday night.
Environment Canada warned of possible road closures, power outages and damage to trees, and encouraged people to postpone non-essential travel until the weather improved.
Friday and Saturday: Calmer conditions
By Friday morning, a total of up to 30 to 50 centimetres of snow is expected in southern Manitoba, though up to 80 centimetres is possible in some areas of higher elevation, Environment Canada says.
The snow and winds are expected to taper off in Winnipeg on Friday, and northwestern Ontario has a chance of flurries.
However, once the storm reaches the Great Lakes, it’s expected to shift north — which could affect areas in northeastern Manitoba.
Temperatures in Manitoba are expected to remain below normal for several days, and snow and ice could continue to cause issues for motorists.
Environment Canada says the cleanup from the storm will likely last well into next week.
