Update: Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation reports via Twitter the Trans-Canada Highway between Winnipeg and Portage la Prairie is now re-opened.

Blizzard conditions earlier today caused the closure of the major route between Winnipeg and Austin. The Highway west of Portage re-opened close to noon. An extreme cold warning for Portage la Prairie and area remains in effect.

The national weather organization says a fast-moving cold front swept across southern Manitoba early this morning, bringing strong north west winds between 60-70 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h.