Much of Saskatchewan prepares for possible snowfall

It may soon begin to look a lot like Christmas in Saskatchewan, as precipitation that began overnight is expected to soon turn into flurries.

On Wednesday, Environment Canada issued a freezing rain warning for most of the province. While those warnings ended Thursday, the rain is expected to turn into snow as temperatures dip.

Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said Regina may not see as much snow as originally expected.

“The rain showers that are down there will probably change to snow,” said Lang. “Weather models now are not indicating as much snow falling, but certainly (Thursday) evening there will be some snow flurries.”

Winds from the north will really pick up as well, Lang explained.

In Saskatoon, with the temperature expected to drop below freezing, it may only be a matter of time before the snow arrives.

“We are expecting that eventual switchover to snow,” said Lang. “Temperatures (are) really close to freezing so it’s always really difficult to make these calls as to when these things are going to transition (to snow).”

Saskatoon is expected to see up to eight centimetres of snow, while Regina could see as much as 14 centimetres.

The roads are expected to become icy and the potential for blowing snow could make road and highway conditions even worse.

“With the roads having wetness on them from the rain and when the temperature drops below freezing, we know it’s going to turn into ice,” said Lang. “Then, when you put snow on top of that and bring some wind in to drift and blow across the roads, that helps to ice things up.”

Lang added that blowing snow can reduce visibility for drivers significantly.

The meteorologist said it’s too soon to say if the snow is here for the long term or not, so those who are dreaming of a white Christmas this year may still have to wait a while longer.

“It’ll probably stick around for a couple days,” said Lang, “but there’s no guarantee it’ll stick around longer than that.”

Temperatures in both Saskatoon and Regina are expected to climb above freezing again by the middle of next week.

The rest of the province isn’t expected to see any extreme weather, except the southeast where a snowfall warning was in effect for the Cypress Hills on Thursday afternoon.

“In the southeast we are expecting snow and blowing snow to continue,” said Lang. “They are, I think, going to have the most challenging conditions in the overnight period.”

Ski hills may have their prayers answered with the expected snowfall, which comes after a very late start to the season.

The latest information on Environment Canada’s warnings can be found on the weather service’s website.