Environment Canada expects ‘messy mix of precipitation’ for Saskatchewan

One last storm system is making its way through Saskatchewan before a cold snap, according to Environment Canada.

“We have a pretty fast moving clipper system coming in from northern Alberta,” meteorologist Chris Stammers said Thursday. “It’s going to bring a messy mix of precipitation, unfortunately.”

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, Highway 6 was closed south of Melfort, and travel wasn’t recommended on the Regina Bypass, the Trans-Canada Highway from Regina to Balgonie, Highway 7 from Saskatoon to Fiske, and Highway 39 from Moose Jaw to Yellow Grass.

Other highways also were affected. Visibility also was an issue on a number of roads.

Stammers expects a few centimetres of snow coupled with a risk of freezing rain Thursday morning.

“(We) might see a bit of a break and then a chance for some showers this afternoon as temperatures shoot up above zero. By evening, we’ll see falling temperatures down to around the -10 C mark with another chance of some flurries,” Stammers said.

Another element of this system is strong wind gusts, especially in western Saskatchewan, he said.

The weather office expects gusts to hit 80 kilometres per hour at times through the day.

Because of the combination of precipitation and strong wind, Stammers believes road conditions could be an issue at times.

“Monitor for any warnings that may be issued … driving could be a little dicey today,” he said

Weather models show Thursday’s storm system will likely be the last before Saskatchewan falls into a cold snap.

“By Saturday morning, we’re going to be seeing lows down into the mid-minus-20s and we’re not going to be really looking upwards until probably past next weekend, so a seven- to 10-day cold snap,” Stammers said.

If there is a silver lining, Stammers believes with the cooler temperatures, Saskatchewan will have consistent sunshine.