Freezing rain, snow set to move through Saskatchewan

We’re being told to prepare for a messy morning commute.

A special weather statement is in effect for much of central and southern Saskatchewan.

The big concern is the freezing rain.

“I think it’s going to be in the overnight period the freezing rain will fall and it’s in that morning period when everyone is trying to get to work. If the temperature is below freezing, I think that’s when the iciest time will be,” said Terri Lang, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and climate change Canada.

She said other areas will see some snow.

Prince Albert and areas north will see heavy snow starting overnight Thursday and through the day on Friday, before easing off on Saturday.

Areas east of Saskatoon could get hit with snow as well.

Lang said the Yorkton area is looking at about five centimetres of snow after the freezing rain has fallen.

The messy weather comes from a low-pressure system that had been building in British Columbia.

It was expected to move through Alberta during the day Thursday before reaching Saskatchewan overnight Thursday and into Friday morning.

Lang said the freezing rain should hit Regina by 6 a.m. Friday, lasting until about 9 a.m.

Even though the amount might only be a few millimetres, she said “that’s enough to make it like a skating rink.”

Meanwhile, she had an important reminder ahead of what will be a busy weekend out on the roads in the lead up to Christmas.

“We’ve had a really nice spell the past couple of weeks of really nice weather. So you kind of get lulled into that sense of complacency when it comes to weather. But it’s wintertime in Saskatchewan. You have to be prepared for everything,” she said.

She said that means stocking your vehicle with your emergency kits and checking with the Highway Hotline before you head out.

Once this system clears out, we can expect a cool down just before Christmas, according to Lang.