Snowfall warnings removed as system moves out of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan has been walloped by snowy weather once again, but there is an end in sight.

Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang told CKOM News on Thursday the snowy weather is on its way out, but it’s taking its time.

Lang said the system is now over North Dakota and pulling to the east.

“It’s going to pull all that moisture out of the province,” she said, predicting there should be improvements in 24 hours.

Snowfall warnings that were in place for areas around the province were lifted just before 3 p.m. Thursday.

However, things weren’t great on Saskatchewan highways during the afternoon.

As of 3 p.m., the Trans-Canada Highway was closed from Balgonie to Sintaluta, and Highway 35 was shut down from Qu’Appelle south to the junction with No. 48.

Travel wasn’t recommended on a number of highways, including the No. 1 from Sintaluta to Broadview and from Regina to Chaplin, the Regina Bypass, Highway 6 south from Regina to the U.S. border, the No. 10 from Balgonie to Balcarres, the No. 11 from Bethune to Davidson, and stretches of highways 2, 13, 33, 35, 39 and 48.

Gwen Coburn was driving from Saskatoon on Thursday and reported the roads were slushy and icy.

“It’s not good driving,” she said. “(People) probably don’t want to go over 80 kilometres (per hour) in most places …

“There was a guy ahead of me in a cube truck that was kind of going sideways for a little bit on the small stretch between Highway 2 and Bruno.”

Coburn hadn’t seen any abandoned vehicles on the side of the road, but she hadn’t seen a lot of cars on the highways, either.

“There really isn’t many people on the road at all,” said Coburn who, as a nurse, had to drive to see patients. “Usually this road, there would be a lot more traffic on it, but there really isn’t …

“People are staying home, so they’re not driving.”

Lang said some of the hardest-hit areas Wednesday were in southeastern parts of the province like Weyburn. Areas closer to the eastern border weren’t hit with as much snow but did experience large gusts of wind and blowing snow, leading to road closures.

Lang predicted Regina could see another five centimetres of snow, but added that Saskatoon might see some flurries.

Although the storm is on its way out, Lang predicts the province will experience a slow melt.

“Temperatures aren’t expected to recover much over the next couple days,” she said, adding it could be beneficial as rapid melts could potentially increase flooding possibilities.

Lang said by the middle of next week, temperatures could return to more spring-like temperatures, adding temperatures for this time of year usually sit in the low teens.

“Next weekend, it looks like we’ll be into some very nice temperatures,” Lang said.

Will this be the last of Saskatchewan’s winter?

“Never say never,” Lang said, adding the models are indicating that temperatures will be cooler than average this season.

“I wouldn’t be breaking out the flip-flops or the lawn furniture quite yet.”