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A meteorologist from Environment Canada is forecasting a potential “record-breaking event,” with the weather office issuing winter storm watches across the southern half of Saskatchewan.
Jason Knight says it should be a fairly mild start to the weekend before conditions take a turn for the worse.
“It all falls apart Sunday with winter coming in with a vengeance. We could be looking at 30 to 50 centimetres pretty much in a single day slightly into Monday. Winds kicking up to 70 kilometres an hour in gusts, so we’re going to see blowing snow potential for blizzard conditions,” Knight says.
Under Environment Canada’s terminology, a “watch” means conditions are favourable for severe weather. That’s different from a “warning,” which means severe weather is imminent or underway.
Alerts for areas closer to the Alberta border and up to Saskatoon will likely be upgraded to warnings later Friday, Knight says.
The strength of the storm this weekend, he says, is due to an intense system to the south.
“It’s been very warm down south so we have a real collision of warm and cold air that’s unfortunately going to be lining up over most of southern Saskatchewan,” he said.
It won’t just be snow. Knight said there is also potential for freezing rain and ice pellets in Regina and the southeast.
Saskatoon should get its snowfall spread over two days, with 10 to 20 cm on Saturday and a similar amount the next day.
“So not quite in all one punch, but otherwise the same totals by Monday morning — 30 to 50 cm and possibly more with some local effect,” he said.
He is also advising people to avoid travel and to be prepared with an emergency kit, as the storm will likely impact utilities.
The good news, is the severe weather should end on Monday.
“It is going to move on quite quickly so the snow winds up early Monday morning and winds down rather early Monday morning,” Knight said.
“Skies clear quite quickly, winds drop off quite quickly. It’ll just be cold by Monday afternoon … minus double digits but winds rather calm and it’ll all be over.”