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Transit is running but most schools are closed, and the city is starting to plow major roads.

On the drive in this morning I passed several stuck cars, but people are getting around. Outside the city, most highways are closed.

Blowing snow is expected to last most of the day. Temperatures have also dropped: it's currently –18 C with a wind chill that feels as cold as –30 C.

My colleague Jaison Empson snapped some pics from the Perimeter Highway in Manitoba, where you can see just how poor visibility is amid the blowing snow.

In Saskatoon, snow graders are still out Thursday morning — and major routes and highways are looking fairly clean.

The city said crews made progress overnight, but inner neighbourhood streets remain icy and slick — and with the deep freeze settling in, road conditions are still dangerous in spots.

The city declared a snow event after about 11 centimetres of snow and high winds. Contractor crews have joined city staff with graders, plows and sanders focused on priority routes and major arterials.

Traffic was moving smoothly as of 7 a.m. CST Thursday morning, but drivers are being reminded to slow down, watch for blue and amber flashing lights, and give snow crews plenty of space as they work.

All schools are now closed in the Winnipeg School Division. The division previously said it was keeping schools open, but cancelling transportation. That has now changed.

Red River College Polytechnic, known as RRC Polytech, has closed its Winnipeg campuses until 11 a.m.

The list of highway closures in Manitoba keeps getting longer. Here is the latest from Manitoba 511, which says the closures are "due to blowing snow and poor visibility":

The following highways are now closed:

The following highways remain closed:

Taking a look at the updated three-day forecast from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) shows the storm moving eastward over northern Ontario and Quebec. Thunder Bay, Ont., is under a yellow warning, expecting as much as 30 cm of snow.

The University of Manitoba has announced it is closed today due to the weather conditions.

Exams scheduled for today will take place on Saturday (at their same times and locations) instead.

"Students who are unable to attend on Dec. 20 due to extenuating circumstances should contact their faculty directly, as soon as possible," the university said in a statement.

Many schools across Manitoba are shuttered. The following school divisions have closed all schools:

Schools are open in the Winnipeg School Division, but transportation for those schools has been cancelled.

Louis Riel, River East Transcona, St. James Assiniboia, Seven Oaks, DFSM, Pembina Trails and Winnipeg School Divisions are all included in the cancellation.

The City of Regina is reminding people that snow routes take effect at 6 a.m. CST Thursday so crews can clear streets from curb to curb. That means no parking on these routes for a 24-hour period.

Regina Public Schools expected buses and schools to return to normal operations tomorrow, but advised families to watch for updates this morning.

Saskatoon Public Schools also expects a normal school day on Thursday, but will notify families of any disruptions.

In Moose Jaw, recreation facilities are expected to reopen but all morning programs are cancelled, according to a city news release.

The Kinsmen Sportsplex Pool and Yara Centre will reopen at 9 a.m. CST, while PlaMor Palace and Kinsmen Arena are expected to reopen at noon.

Moose Jaw’s transit services were to be updated at 7 a.m. CST. Waste and recycling collection should resume today.

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