Environment Canada warning against travel in central Sask. as winter storm continues

Much of Saskatchewan is waking up to a blast of winter weather Monday.

“An Alberta clipper tracking across the Prairies spread heavy snow through the region overnight and will continue into Monday morning,” Environment and Climate Change Canada said in a statement.

Winter storm and snowfall warnings from the weather service remained in effect across central Saskatchewan on Monday morning, including Saskatoon.

“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” the weather service added.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.”

Stephen Berg, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the storm hasn’t wrapped up just yet.

“It’s still ongoing,” Berg said, noting the province can expect a few more centimetres of snow, along with blowing snow and high winds.

“That’s expected to sweep the southern part of Saskatchewan for most of the day,” Berg said.

Berg said the storm brought wind gusts up to 70 kilometres per hour in Saskatoon, and while it was difficult to estimate snowfall totals, he said the areas under the winter storm warning could expect between 10 and 20 centimetres by the time the storm ends.

650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing was out on the roads in Saskatoon on Monday morning. He said conditions are “brutal,” with drifts in some residential areas feeling like speed bumps.

Conditions on Saskatoon roads are brutal right now.

In the residential areas, some of the snowdrifts feels like you’re going over speed bumps.

Circle Drive has poor visibility and the entrance and exit ramps are filled with snow. @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/ZtFHsHZQrr

— Shane (@ShaneC06) February 26, 2024

The winter storm also knocked down a tree on Avenue G South in Saskatoon. The road was closed to traffic as a result.

The winter storm took down a tree on Avenue G South in Saskatoon. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

The high winds are expected to begin to calm Monday afternoon and evening, when blowing snow will likely ease off as well.

“That’ll be followed by some pretty cold conditions, with wind chills into the upper -30s overnight tonight,” Berg noted.

While those in Saskatoon and central Saskatchewan may struggle with their commutes, Berg said those in the Regina area will likely have a much easier drive on Monday.

“There’s not too much happening in Regina right now,” Berg said. “There’s a bit more snow to come later on. That’s expected to come through the later morning.”

The meteorologist did note that some high winds and blowing snow are expected to hit the Queen City before tapering off in the late afternoon and evening, but said it’ll likely be “far less of an issue” than in the Saskatoon area.

Becca White walks her two huskies during the major blizzard in Saskatoon. The blizzard came as a shock to White, as she’d just returned from Mexico on Sunday. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

Berg emphasized that travel could be hazardous.

“Anybody who’s thinking about travelling, be very, very careful. This is a big system, and lots of hazards. (There will be) some possible ice on the roads as well from some lingering freezing rain in the eastern part of Saskatchewan,” he said.

The Highway Hotline was also recommending against travel on many highways in the Kindersley and Saskatoon areas on Monday morning. Later Monday morning, the same advisory was issued for roads in the North Battleford and Melville areas.

Meanwhile, extreme cold warnings were also in effect on Monday for the northern parts of the province.

The latest information on Environment Canada’s alerts can be found on its website.