Thompson Initiates Snow Clearing Operations on October 13 Amid Heavy Snowfall

The City of Thompson launched snow-clearing operations early Monday, October 13, after a major fall storm brought heavy snowfall to northern Manitoba. Two graders and two loaders were deployed to clear Priority 1 streets, with crews expected to work more than 14 hours to restore safe driving conditions.

Residents were urged to use caution around snow-clearing equipment or stay home if possible, as visibility and road conditions worsened through the day. The storm delivered more than 30 centimetres of heavy, wet snow across the Thompson region, prompting multiple highway closures and power outages affecting thousands of Manitoba Hydro customers.

Thompson’s snow-clearing policy prioritizes main arteries, including Thompson Drive, Cree Road, Princeton Drive, Westwood Drive, and access points for emergency services such as the RCMP, fire hall, and hospital. Once primary routes are cleared, crews move to secondary roads and residential areas.

Environment Canada had issued snowfall warnings ahead of the storm, forecasting hazardous travel conditions for much of northern Manitoba. Strong winds, combined with heavy snow, led to downed trees and snapped power lines across the region, creating additional challenges for public works and emergency crews.

The early-season snowfall marks the onset of winter conditions in Thompson, where municipal crews are accustomed to rapid mobilization to maintain essential transportation and safety. Despite the difficulties, the City’s coordinated response reflects a well-established system for managing extreme weather events that are common in northern Manitoba.