As advertised, blizzard conditions have developed in southern Manitoba on Friday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has ended a blizzard warning for Winnipeg, but it remains in effect Friday afternoon for the rest of the Red River Valley.
Blowing snow advisories also continue Friday afternoon for the southwest, including Brandon and Dauphin, and regions in the southeast bordering Ontario.
Snow and blowing snow in very strong northerly winds have shut down many highways across southern Manitoba, including the Perimeter Highway, Highways 59 and 75 from Winnipeg to the US border, Highway One East from Hadashville to Winnipeg, and Highway One West from Winnipeg to Brandon.
Inside Winnipeg, blustery conditions have reportedly been worse in some open areas than in most other parts of the city that are more sheltered.
Friday’s blizzard conditions are triggered by a cold front, which will also cause temperatures to fall Friday afternoon in its wake. Wind chill values will be close to -30 by late afternoon.
The weather agency said blizzard conditions should taper off either late Friday afternoon or evening, although blowing snow is still expected this evening before winds diminish late tonight.
Areas under the blowing snow advisory will see conditions improve Friday afternoon in the west and this evening in the east as winds ease up.
Temperatures will plummet Friday night across the south, leading into a cold weekend and the first half of next week in Winnipeg.
In the north, a blizzard warning is in effect Friday for the Churchill and York regions in the northeast, and an extreme cold warning has been triggered for Brochet and Tadoule Lake further west.
