Southern Sask. coated in snow, expected to stay through Halloween

A preview of winter weather greeted Saskatchewan on Tuesday morning with a combination of rain and snow.

Environment Canada continued snowfall warnings for southern and southwest areas of the province while placing the southeast area under a special weather statement.

Chris Stammers, a lead forecaster with Environment Canada, said the hardest-hit areas could see snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 centimetres before the system tapers off from west to east through the day.

“We did have a report of 10 centimetres falling south of Kindersley. That lines up nicely with where we thought the heaviest band (of snow) would be between Kindersley and Swift Current, ” Stammers said.

The cold air mass system coming from Alberta extends down toward the U.S. border following Highway 11 up to the southern edge of Saskatoon.

“Saskatoon is kind of on the northern periphery. They’re getting some really light snow,” said Stammers, who added any accumulation the city receives will be minimal.

“It is covering much of southern Saskatchewan but certainly the heaviest snow is confined to a narrow band in and around the Regina area.”

Stammers said the downturn of winter temperatures means some areas of the province could be in store for a snowy Halloween.

“We are expecting below seasonal temperatures for the next 10 to 14 days,” he said.

“It does look like the southeastern corner is going to get hit with a fair bit more snow over the coming days. So it looks like (the snow) will stick around, but we still can’t rule out some warmer temperatures later in November.

“Certainly the later you go, it becomes less likely.”

The first snowfall of the year was not a smooth adjustment for drivers in Saskatoon.

After responding to multiple collisions and fender benders, Saskatoon police issued an advisory asking drivers to slow down and leave extra room between vehicles.

According to police, officers responded to 19 collisions between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Tuesday, including a three-vehicle crash involving a school bus, though no serious injuries have been reported and the youths aboard the bus were unhurt.

It’s snowing in Saskatoon and it’s icy out there!

Lots of people struggling getting up the University Borge. Several crashes as well. @CKOMNews #YXE pic.twitter.com/8JY9f52MHL

— Shane (@ShaneC06) October 24, 2023

As of 8 a.m., the Highway Hotline lifted the travel advisory on the Regina Bypass, but said visibility was reduced on Highway 11 between Bethune and Davidson, and sections of highways 2 and 48.

The City of Saskatoon said crews were out overnight treating streets, including 10 sanders focused on Circle Drive and freeways. This work will continue through the day, the city said in a release.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Gillian Massie and 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing