Blowing snow could be on its way to Sask. this weekend
Saskatchewan is going to get walloped with a taste of winter weather over the weekend.
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Saskatchewan may get walloped with a variety of winter weather over the weekend.
Environment Canada reports that a low pressure system over the Pacific Ocean will come ashore on Saturday morning, bringing with it a “sharp mix of precipitation” for the province, according to a special weather statement from Environment Canada.
Throughout Saturday evening, the national forecaster indicates precipitation could include snow, freezing rain or rain, potentially creating hazardous driving conditions.
In an update on Saturday morning, the Weather Network report suggested that the worst weather could be expected for Sunday as the temperatures are expected to drop significantly in the afternoon following potential overnight freezing rain.
The special weather statement issued on Friday included Saskatoon, Warman, Regina, Moose Jaw and more than a dozen other Saskatchewan communities.
Even the Saskatchewan RCMP were putting out notices for the weather, calling the weekend conditions “frightful” in a Facebook post and recommending travellers to drive safely on the highways.
As the system moves across the province, the northern and eastern grain belt could see 10 or more centimetres of snow, but the national forecaster noted conditions could change quickly and the location of where the heaviest snow will hit still has to be determined.
It will bring with it a “vigorous cold front” on Sunday that will replace the milder temperatures expected earlier this weekend. This could include wind gusts of 70 kilometres an hour, alongside blowing snow.
Wind will be the strongest in southwest Saskatchewan, where gusts are expected to reach speeds of 90 km/h.
While the updated special weather statement on Saturday did not refer to the storm as a blizzard, the blowing wind and snow on Sunday is expected to cause “widespread reduced visibilities” for several hours.
Residents are advised to pay attention to Environment Canada for any further warnings or watches.
On Saturday evening, Saskatoon police issued an advisory to drivers that road conditions within the city and on the outskirts had deteriorated due to the snow and rain. Police asked drivers to give themselves extra time to get to their destinations.
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