Highways around Winnipeg have officially reopened Wednesday after winter weather forced a nearly 12-hour closure overnight.
As of Wednesday morning at 8:35 a.m., the following highways have reopened:
- Highway 1, from Elie to Winnipeg, in both directions
- Highway 1, from Hwy 100 Perimeter to Highway 12, in both directions
- Highway 100, from Highway 1 East to Highway 1 West
- Highway 101, from Highway 1 West to Highway 1 East
Multiple people have sent messages to Global News saying the Perimeter, as well as secondary roads in the capitol region, resembled a skating rink Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Dan Fulton says the weather created the perfect storm for slick conditions late Tuesday.
“All that snow blowing over the roads – especially with the stronger sun at this time of year – really iced things up.”
Winds gusted up to 70 km/h Tuesday, with sustained winds in the 50 km/h range around Winnipeg.
Fulton says the weather won’t be as much of an obstacle Wednesday.
“Today is actually quite nice… some cloud – we’ve actually got a system moving south of the (U.S. border,) so we’re not expecting any snow in Winnipeg – maybe in the southwest part of the province.”