Saskatoon to dodge most snowfall as winter storm hits province

The winter storm predicted for Saskatchewan is already raging in areas north and west of Saskatoon, but a meteorologist says the worst of it may miss the city entirely.

Terri Lang, meteorologist with Environment Canada, said winter weather is already raging in Kindersley, North Battleford, Lloydminster, and north of Prince Albert through Meadow Lake and La Ronge. Those areas are currently seeing heavy snow, and highway cameras are showing roads in those areas getting quite messy.

Saskatoon is set to be right on the edge of the storm.

“We’re really not expecting to get too much in the city itself,” Lang said, estimating that only a couple of centimetres of the white stuff will fall on the city.

The vast majority of snow will fall today west and north of Saskatoon, Lang said.

With much of the province in the midst of the storm already, Lang said snow accumulation will be anywhere between 10 and 30 centimetres in the areas hit hardest. Big River, Spiritwood and the Waskesiu areas were predicted to be the most impacted.

Lang said everyone should be prepared for winter driving conditions if they’re heading out of Saskatoon to the west or north, as motorists will quickly hit freezing rain and snow upon leaving the city.

Even if roads look fine, Lang recommended ensuring vehicles are winter-ready with snow tires and an emergency kit.

Lang said the next major weather event is set to hit this weekend, when another low-pressure system moves through Saskatchewan, likely on Saturday. It’s predicted to bring more snow and wind, along with colder temperatures.

Lang said it will be “a real switch into more of a winter mode.”

The weather this weekend is expected to cut a path along Highway 1 and affect southern Saskatchewan, though Lang said the Alberta Clipper will probably move through the areas quickly.

“On weekends people tend to go to hockey tournaments, curling bonspiels and that type of thing, so people should keep that in mind,” Lang shared.