Winter storm warnings issued as Alberta Clipper bears down on Saskatchewan

The mild weather is coming to an end in Saskatchewan as winter makes a return.

Environment Canada issued winter storm and snowfall warnings Sunday morning for central parts of the province, including Saskatoon, Lloydminster, North Battleford, Meadow Lake,  Prince Albert, Melfort, Humboldt, Hudson Bay and Kamsack.

An Alberta Clipper system is to hit the province Sunday evening and cross the prairies on Monday.

The system is expected to bring strong winds and heavy snow, with the bulk of the snow to fall north of the Yellowhead Highway.

The weather service is forecasting 10 to 15 centimetres of snow will fall by Monday morning, with heavier amounts east of Saskatoon and along the Manitoba border.

Along with the snow, strong winds gusting to 70 kilometres per hour are expected to develop and continue into Monday morning.

“The combination of snow and strong, gusty winds will create visibility reductions in snow and blowing snow during this time. Expect travel to be impacted.” the agency said in its warnings.

“Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.”

It appears southern Saskatchewan, including Regina, will dodge the heavy snow. However, lighter precipitation including freezing rain will be possible Sunday night and Monday morning.

The Alberta Clipper is also dragging cold air with it. The weather agency said temperatures will nosedive and wind chill values will approach or exceed -30 C Monday night.

The bitter cold will begin to moderate later in the week, Environment Canada said.

More information can be found on Environment Canada’s alert page.