Several schools closed in southern Manitoba due to hazardous driving conditions

Swirling snow and poor visibility, creating hazardous driving conditions, have prompted numerous school closures in southern Manitoba on Tuesday.

A blowing snow advisory issued by Environment Canada covers the Red River Valley and part of the Interlake region.

The conditions are expected to last until Tuesday afternoon, with the worst occurring Tuesday morning.

Classes are cancelled in:

• Border Land School Division.
• Prairie Rose School Division.
• Lord Selkirk School Division.
• Evergreen School Division.
• Red River Valley School Division.
• Hanover School Division.
• Seine River School Division.
• Lakeshore School Division.
• St. Claude area schools and Manitou area schools are closed.
• Buses are cancelled in the Turtle River School Division but schools are open.

Strong northerly winds are blowing as an Alberta clipper system that arrived in the province early Monday continues to shift eastward, bringing a combination of fresh snow and wind gusts of 70-80 kilometres per hour.

The blowing snow advisory could be upgraded to a blizzard warning for areas of the Red River Valley if the weather worsens, Environment Canada says.