‘If you don’t have to go, don’t:’ Nasty weather closes highways across Sask.

It’s another day of poor driving conditions on Saskatchewan highways.

Around 4 p.m., the Highway Hotline said the Trans-Canada Highway was closed from Regina to Belle Plaine due to drifting snow, reduced visibility and icy sections.

“If you don’t have to go, don’t. It can wait till later,” said Kevin Winters, who was stuck in a traffic jam caused by a crash near Ernfold west of the Queen City.

Traffic at a standstill on the Trans-Canada Highway south of Regina on March 10, 2022. (Logan Stein/980 CJME)

Highway 6 south of Regina to Corinne and Highway 39 from the intersection with Highway 6 to Yellow Grass also were closed, as were Highway 2 north and south of Moose Jaw, Highway 10 from Balgonie to Balcarres, Highway 36 south of Moose Jaw, Highway 47 south of the Trans-Canada, Highway 13 around Assiniboia, Highway 18 around Rockglen, and other roads in the area.

“Stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary,” said Ministry of Highways spokesperson Steve Shaheen. “Obviously, keep an eye on the Highway Hotline. Conditions can change quite rapidly, so check back often.”

The ministry even took plows off the road because of the near-zero visibility.

The road closures added to a total that has skyrocketed in the 2021-22 winter.

“To date, we’ve had more than 1,900 plus the ones today,” Shaheen said. “That compares to just 384 last year.”

Travel wasn’t advised on the Trans-Canada from Belle Plaine to Rush Lake in the west and from Balgonie to the Manitoba border in the east.

A similar advisory was in place on a number of roads, including Highway 11 between Regina and Bethune, Highway 6 north of Regina, and Highway 15 between highways 19 and 20.

Environment Canada issued a blowing snow advisory Thursday that covers the southern half of the province except for the southwest corner.

“Strong northwest winds with gusts of 60 to 70 (kilometres per hour) will combine with flurries to produce areas of reduced visibilities,” the weather agency said.

“Some areas may see prolonged periods of blowing snow, while others may encounter abrupt changes in visibility as bands of flurries move through.”

Weather conditions will gradually improve through the day as the winds calm down. Western areas of the province will be the first to see the winds ease, followed by eastern Saskatchewan on Thursday evening.

Also, Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for areas of the province.