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WINNIPEG – After a weekend characterized by treacherous driving conditions, howling winds, and near-zero visibility, travel is slowly resuming across southern Manitoba. As of Monday morning, January 19, 2026, provincial officials have reopened several major highway stretches that were forced shut on Sunday. However, authorities warn that the danger has not entirely passed, with key arteries like Highway 75 south of Ste. Agathe remaining closed to traffic.
The severe weather, driven by a powerful clipper system—the second to strike the region in just three days—brought much of the province to a standstill. According to CBC, the storm unleashed wind gusts between 60 and 80 km/h, whipping freshly fallen snow into blinding whiteouts. While the skies are clearing, the aftermath of the storm continues to impact the province’s transportation network, leaving commuters and commercial drivers navigating a complex patchwork of open and closed roads.
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure worked through the night to clear drifts and assess visibility. By Sunday evening, officials announced the reopening of the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) between Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg, a critical corridor that had been "plugged up solid" with stranded vehicles earlier in the day. According to PembinaValleyOnline, other routes that have reopened include Highway 2, Highway 3 from Sperling to Crystal City, and Highway 59 from Highway 100 to St. Malo.
Despite this progress, significant closures remain in effect as of Monday morning. Most notably, Highway 75—the main trade route to the United States—remains closed from Ste. Agathe to the U.S. border. Highway 23 from Lowe Farm to Highway 59 also remains shut. Officials cite lingering poor visibility and dangerous drifting snow as the primary reasons for the continued restrictions.
The weekend’s chaos left hundreds of travelers stranded. Manpreet Singh, a truck driver en route to Edmonton, told reporters he was stuck on the highway near Headingley for several hours. "It’s happening in the winter again and again," Singh said, emphasizing the need for caution. Similarly, Ken Scarff, a local resident, described the Trans-Canada Highway as being lined with parked semi-trucks and vehicles for hours on Sunday.
The RCMP have issued a stern reminder regarding the legal and safety implications of ignoring road closure signs. Driving on a closed highway is illegal and carries a fine of approximately $298 along with two demerit points. More importantly, it poses a severe risk to emergency responders. This warning follows a chaotic Friday which saw multiple multi-vehicle crashes near Oakville, involving at least five vehicles and an RCMP cruiser, prompting a brief "Code Orange" mass casualty alert at the Portage District General Hospital.
This latest bout of severe weather has sparked further conversation regarding the changing environment and the intensity of winter storms on the Prairies. While blizzards are a staple of Manitoba winters, the frequency of these high-impact clipper systems is drawing attention in the context of global warming and climate resilience. The extreme cold warning currently in effect, with wind chills making temperatures feel near -40°C, adds another layer of risk for anyone stranded on the roads.
According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the trending search "weather Winnipeg" spiked to over 10,000 queries this weekend, reflecting the public’s high anxiety and need for real-time information. As the cleanup continues, the forecast predicts sunny but frigid conditions for Monday, with light snow expected to return by Tuesday.
As Manitoba recovers from this latest winter onslaught, drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution and verify road conditions before heading out. While the reopening of the Trans-Canada Highway is a relief for the supply chain and commuters, the continued closure of the southern portion of Highway 75 serves as a stark reminder of the storm’s lingering power. Motorists should consult Manitoba 511 for the most up-to-date information and remain prepared for winter driving conditions.
As of Monday morning, several key routes have reopened, including the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) between Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg. Additionally, Highway 2, Highway 3 from Sperling to Crystal City, and Highway 59 from Highway 100 to St. Malo are now open to traffic. However, drivers should remain cautious as road conditions can change rapidly due to drifting snow.
No, Highway 75 remains closed from Ste. Agathe to the U.S. border. Authorities have kept this major trade route shut due to poor visibility and dangerous drifting snow. Highway 23 from Lowe Farm to Highway 59 is also closed, and travelers are advised to check for updates before attempting to head south.
Driving on a closed highway is illegal and results in a fine of approximately 298 dollars plus two demerit points on your license. Beyond the financial penalty, ignoring closure signs puts emergency responders at risk and increases the likelihood of becoming stranded in life-threatening extreme cold conditions.
Motorists should consult Manitoba 511 for the most up-to-date information on road closures and driving conditions. This service provides real-time data which is essential for safety, especially when navigating the complex patchwork of open and closed roads caused by severe winter clipper systems.
The province is currently under an extreme cold warning with wind chills making temperatures feel near minus 40 degrees Celsius. Although the skies are clearing, strong winds between 60 and 80 km/h have been whipping fresh snow into blinding whiteouts, creating hazardous visibility issues even on roads that have been cleared.