Winter storm watch in effect for areas of southern Saskatchewan

Old Man Winter has decided to stick around Saskatchewan a little while longer.

Just before 3 p.m. Monday, Environment Canada issued a winter storm watch for areas of southeastern Saskatchewan. The watch replaced the special weather statement that was initially issued Sunday.

Regina was among the centres included in the watch. Saskatoon, which was covered by the special weather statement, wasn’t included in the watch.

According to the watch, a Colorado Low will blow into southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba from Tuesday night until Thursday, with snow expected to continue until Friday in parts of Manitoba.

The weather service said total snowfall accumulations of between 10 and 25 centimetres are possible, with higher elevations getting the most snow. The forecast also calls for northeasterly winds with gusts of 60 to 80 kilometres per hour.

“The strongest winds are expected to occur over the Manitoba parklands and extreme southeast Saskatchewan beginning on Wednesday morning before gradually diminishing overnight,” the watch said.

The forecast said the precipitation will start Tuesday with a mix of rain and snow before transitioning to snow overnight Tuesday. The heaviest snowfall is expected Wednesday morning.

“We’re going to have scattered showers during the late-morning and afternoon period. It’s going to switch from rain to snow and become more organized as the day goes on,” Environment Canada meteorologist Kyle Fougere said Monday.

According to Fougere, the worst conditions will be on Wednesday.

“We’re expecting significant snowfall with strong winds of 30 kilometres an hour gusting (to) 50 or 60 kilometres per hour with that snow,” he said. “This storm will drop 10 to 20 centimetres with these winds, so we’re expecting quite the potent snowstorm.”

Fougere also said the storm will be slow-moving and large.

“That snow will linger for most of Thursday and taper off Thursday night before temperatures slowly start to warm up for the weekend,” he said.

Fougere recommended that people who are considering travelling should postpone their plans because it is a drastic change.

“If you do have to travel, really pay attention to the weather (and) take an emergency kit with you just in case something should happen on your travels,” Fougere said.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada alerts page.