Frigid temps, blowing snow could make Monday travel treacherous

Saskatchewan people will want to appreciate the warm weather the province will see this weekend before next week hits like a cold blast of air in the face.

Terri Lang, a meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, said snow should start late in the day on Sunday and move into Saskatchewan overnight.

First, Saturday and most of Sunday should bring a chinook and beautiful weather before the province starts to see the weather turn.

“We’ll be treated to a couple nice days,” Lang said of the weekend, “although we always have the wind with that.”

By Monday, an Alberta Clipper will be moving through the province.

Late Friday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for much of the southern part of the province.

READ MORE:

• Snow, cold temperatures finally inbound for Sask.
• Snowfall warnings issued for much of central Saskatchewan
• Snowfall warnings in effect as winter ramps up in Saskatchewan

Lang said snow will start in the northern grainbelt and move through the central part of the province before spreading southward. Strong winds are expected, which will turn the snowfall into blowing snow.

“It’ll be quite a tricky travel day on Monday,” Lang said, recommending that people start to look ahead to that day if they plan to be on the roads.

She suggested postponing or cancelling any travel on that day.

Saskatoon is right in the path of the weather system, with most of the snow falling north of the Yellowhead Highway.

Lang estimated about five centimetres of snow or more.

“But when the winds are gusting 60 (or) 70 kilometres an hour, it’s hard to tell exactly how much snow has fallen when it’s blowing sideways,” Lang said.

There will also be a “nosedive” in temperatures Monday, according to Lang, who calls these symptoms the push-pull features of a true Alberta Clipper.

Windchills should be dipping well below -30 C by Tuesday morning. By Tuesday, the snow should start to become Manitoba’s problem, moving out of Saskatchewan,

“It will take its time exiting,” Lang said, estimating the southeast corner will see some lingering snow and blowing snow on Tuesday morning.

She said the temperatures will be “a bit of a shocker” with more cold after that for a few days before Saskatchewan starts to see some recovery.

Lang also expects to see some special weather statements triggered by the system, upgrading to falling and heavy snow advisories. She said blizzard warnings could also be possible, as this system will be one of the more active weather situations Saskatchewan has seen so far this winter.

“It will get everyone’s attention, I think,” Lang said.

While the nice weather over the weekend may make people think of spring, Lang offered a reminder that it is still winter in Saskatchewan.

Shovels and warm winter clothing should still be ready and available for weather systems, like the one being expected early next week.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Brent Bosker