Manitoba hit by snow and freezing rain

Winnipeg could see about five centimetres of snow before the storm system moves out of the area shortly after noon, Environment Canada meteorologist Dave Carlsen said Thursday morning.

The area around Elie and Portage la Prairie, west of Winnipeg, could receive as much as 15 centimetres.

"It came in two bands," Carlsen said. "There was the first one that came through last night, and it was so-so, but then the second one, which is the one we're looking at now, that came from a bunch of thunderstorms that popped up in the Dakotas last night and it's moved along here to be in southern Manitoba, just [in time] for the morning commute."

Several school divisions in Manitoba cancelled bus service or classes due to the inclement weather.

Dozens of highways in the region were covered with snow, ice or slush and slippery Thursday morning, with poor visibility in many areas, provincial officials said.

Travel was not advised on several highways, including the Trans-Canada between highways 13 and 16, around Portage la Prairie.