Severe Winter Storm Disrupts Winnipeg: Flights Delayed, Traffic Stalled

A powerful winter storm sweeping through the Prairies continued to impact travel plans for residents of Winnipeg on Friday. At Richardson International Airport, passengers experienced a second day of flight delays and cancellations as an Alberta clipper moved across southern Manitoba.

Numerous flights across Canada, including destinations like Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver, were either delayed or cancelled. Jared and Laura Dennis returned to the airport after their family's trip to Cuba was postponed, only to discover their flights had been cancelled again. Jared described their long-awaited vacation as “ruined.”

Frustrations mounted among passengers due to last-minute cancellations and unclear communication from airlines. Fazia Aitzenti, who was also traveling to Cuba, voiced her anger, stating, “I’m really mad… They cancel flights minutes before boarding and don’t even know if we can fly tomorrow.”

The Winnipeg Airports Authority urged travelers to verify their flight statuses prior to heading to the airport and to keep informed through their respective airlines.

In the meantime, the city grappled with challenges posed by blowing snow and limited visibility. Environment Canada issued warnings indicating reduced visibility throughout southern Manitoba lasting until Saturday evening. The City of Winnipeg reported over 200 buses trapped in snow on Thursday, with 11 additional buses caught in similar conditions Friday morning.

Commuters like Mark Travers experienced delays on public transport, with heavy snowfall complicating travel. However, some Winnipeggers remained positive. Gerry Kovalik remarked, “This is the best thing in the world” for those driving all-wheel or four-wheel vehicles. Hannah and Brady Hallett, enjoying a walk, mentioned that inclement weather is simply part of Winnipeg life, encouraging others to “get used to it” and “let it snow.”