Alberta Clipper blasts Saskatchewan with winter weather

It was a reminder that winter is in Saskatchewan.

After some warmer-than-normal temperatures for parts of the province, Monday saw a return of heavy winds and snow.

“Lots of blowing and drifting snow (is) causing issues across much of southern and central Saskatchewan,” Environment Canada’s Terri Lang told Saskatchewan Afternoon on Monday.

She said central sections around Hudson Bay, Tisdale and Nipawin could see 20 centimetres of snow from the system. She added the northern grain belt is getting about 10 to 15 centimetres.

Snowfall and winter storm warnings issued Sunday by Environment Canada remained in place across central Saskatchewan, as did blowing snow advisories across the southern portion of the province.

Saskatoon police put out a statement around 2:30 p.m., saying officers had responded to only eight collisions since 6 a.m. Monday, but there were reports of a number of vehicles in ditches.

At 3 p.m., the Highway Hotline said travel wasn’t recommended on the Trans-Canada Highway from Chaplin to Rush Lake due to drifting snow and slippery sections.

The same advisory was in place on Highway 13 from Eastend to Robsart, Highway 19 south from Morse to Hodgeville, and Highway 21 south of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

Lang said the system would make its way out of the province quickly.

“But the strong winds will linger in behind so we will see some light snow continuing through Monday night and into Tuesday morning. But the winds will continue to be around, so I think we will continue to have issues with blowing and drifting snow into Tuesday morning,” Lang said.

As the Alberta Clipper leaves, arctic air will settle into Saskatchewan.

“We will see some much colder temperatures moving in and they will be settling in for the better part of a week to 10 days,” Lang said.