Blowing snow, whiteout, and blizzard-like conditions persisted across the Red River Valley Monday, prompting highway and school closures.
According to Environment Canada, Emerson recorded the highest wind gusts Sunday. Peak gusts reached 89 kilometres per hour.
Dearwood clocked the second-highest wind gusts at 87 km/hr.
In Brandon, peak gusts reached 74 km/hr. In Winnipeg, 69 km/hr gusts were recorded.
As for snow accumulation Sunday, 5 centimetres of snow fell in the Park Land and Interlake regions and 1 centimetre fell in Winnipeg. The storm also brought below-freezing temperatures. From 10 a.m. Sunday to 7 p.m. Sunday, temperatures dropped from 7.6 C to -13.2 C.
The blowing snow created hazardous driving conditions again Monday morning. Highway 1 was closed for several hours Monday before reopening. Winds gusts in Winnipeg were recorded Monday at 66 km/hr.
RCMP say they responded to 22 reported collisions on Manitoba Highways since 8 a.m. Sunday, including a roll over that killed one woman from Ontario.
Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Natalie Hasell said a blizzard warning is issued when visibility is reduced to 400 metres coupled with sustained winds of 40 km/hr.
While blizzards in Manitoba are not unusual, she said it's important motorists are reminded of the safety precautions to take in extreme storms with heavy amounts of blowing snow.
"When stranded, the safest thing to do is stay in the car. Maybe you think you see a gas station or type of shelter is in the distance, but people get disoriented in reduced visibility and whiteout conditions, so the shelter that you think you saw is not there and then you are trying to get to your car, but due to the whiteout conditions, your won't make it," Hasell said. " Leaving your car, you are putting yourself in danger."
