Manitoba Roads Close Due to Winter Storm – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

A winter storm is in full swing in Manitoba and has caused many highways to close on Friday.

Manitoba Roads tweeted each road closure through the night and into the early morning.

Environment Canada Forecast says Winnipeg could see 4 to 6 inches of snow on Friday.

The city said it will work to plow the back lanes Friday at 7 a.m. M.

However, the real problem is the wind, which is blowing at 40 miles per hour on Friday morning and is expected to hit 80 miles per hour.

At approximately 9 a.m. Thursday, the province’s forecast center issued a strong wind effect warning for the southern shores of Lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba.

“Predicted north winds gusting up to 70 km / h and wave action could raise levels by as much as five feet or more between noon Thursday and Friday night,” he said.

“Owners are advised to take precautions.”

High winds are causing visibility problems when driving, which is why Manitoba’s public insurance urges people to take the following precautions:

• Before hitting the road, check the road and weather conditions by calling 511.
• Be careful when traveling over flyovers and bridges. The surfaces of these structures can freeze quickly due to a lack of insulation from the soil.
• Do not rush. Take an extra five to 10 minutes to get to your destination safely.
• Look where you are going. At this time of year, keeping your windshields clear is essential, so be sure to fill the windshield washer fluid level and that your windows are free of snow and ice.
• Allow more time to stop. Traction is reduced when roads are slippery and it takes longer to come to a complete stop. If you don’t have winter tires, it’s not too late to get them.
• Leave more space. Do not raise the tailgate at any time and remember that the following distance should be increased when traveling at higher speeds or in poor visibility.

The storm is expected to subside on Saturday, according to Environment Canada.

“Things will wind down quickly on Friday morning, then we’ll have another batch of warmer air pushing in on Saturday that could bring us a big swath of snow, but not as bad as this one,” said an Environment Canada spokesman.

2:17Manitoba storm causes power outages and driving problems

—With files from Elisha Dacey and Shane Gibson