Blizzard continues to bear down on southern Saskatchewan

Most residents of southern Saskatchewan will need their shovels this weekend, but some will be lifting less snow than others.

Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang said Friday afternoon the blizzard descending on the province is expected to dump differing amounts of the white stuff in different areas.

Lang said areas close to the U.S. border could get up to 30 centimetres of snow, especially in higher terrains. Areas south of the Trans-Canada Highway are expected to get upwards of 20 centimetres, while regions along the Trans-Canada could get 10 to 15 centimetres.

“The snow is making its way across the border in the southwest part of the province and is forecast to spread northward and eastward throughout the rest of the afternoon and into the evening,” Lang said Friday at around 2:45 p.m. “Heaviest snow is forecast to fall in the overnight period and south of the Trans-Canada Highway.”

The expected accumulation totals decrease as one heads north, with Lang saying two to five centimetres could fall in areas between the Trans-Canada and the Yellowhead Highway, and around two centimetres could fall north of the Yellowhead. Lang said Saskatoon should get less than five centimetres.

“There will be some winds and with some of that snow, there will be some reduced visibilities and blowing and drifting snow, but nothing as significant as it will be compared to the south,” Lang said of the forecast for the central areas.

Blizzard and snowfall warnings remained in place across the southern part of the province, while a blowing snow advisory was issued Friday afternoon for the Kindersley-Rosetown area.

Lang noted the winds would continue to pick up through the day, with reduced visibility in many areas due to the blowing snow. The worst visibility is expected in the southeast portion of the province overnight and in the early morning.

“It’ll worsen throughout the evening and the overnight period and be hanging around in the morning,” Lang said. “As the winds ease and the snow pulls out Saturday afternoon, everything should be lessening and all wrapped up by Saturday evening.”

According to the Highway Hotline, travel wasn’t recommended on some roads in the southwest corner of the province, including highways 13, 18 and 21 south of Maple Creek.

Visibility was reduced on many roads in the western half of the province, including the Trans-Canada from Regina to Belle Plaine and from Morse to Gull Lake.

More information is available on the Environment Canada alerts page.