An emergency alert urged drivers to stay off highways in southern Manitoba Friday, as a fierce winter storm reduced visibility to near zero in many areas and hospitals were warned to prepare for a possible influx of patients.

An Alberta Clipper has made its way to southern Manitoba. As a result, Highway 75 is closed from Winnipeg to the U.S. border. Environment Canada says blizzard conditions are developing in the Red River Valley as a cold front sweeps down from the north.

A herd of cows seemed unmoooved by blizzard conditions on a Manitoba farm, footage taken on Friday, January 17, showed – although an update shot a little later depicted the herd huddled together “out of the wind.

The Manitoba government is urging drivers to avoid all roadways in southern Manitoba as storm conditions have made visibility near zero in certain areas.