Return of spring temperatures should bring a quick melt to Saskatchewan

The almost-annual April snowstorm is close to moving on, but it has left Saskatchewan looking like a winter wonderland.

Light flurries are expected to continue overnight Thursday, but after that, the conditions are supposed to get better.

Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor said there will be a gradual improvement over the next 24 hours.

“We’ve got periods of light snow still falling,” said Proctor. “We’re right on the back edge of a vigorous low-pressure area that went across the province.”

However, the snow could continue Friday morning, he said.

“I think you’ll probably see the light snow really ending overnight,” Proctor said. “Maybe (there will be) just a few flurries around in the morning, especially in Regina.”

Spring should return to normal by the start of the work week, with temperatures reaching 13 C in Regina by Sunday and 10 C in Saskatoon on Monday.

Proctor said that warmup should result in a quick melt.

“Generally, it’s going to warm up fairly significantly,” he said. “I expect the melt to be fairly quick.”

Snowfall has been pretty scattered. In Saskatoon, up to 20 centimetres of snow has fallen, while in Regina, only eight centimetres has fallen.

But areas further north — like those near Prince Albert and Nipawin — got the most snow.

As of 3:30 p.m., snowfall warnings remained in place in some areas in the eastern part of the province, including Hudson Bay, Porcupine Plain, Melfort, Tisdale, Nipawin and Carrot River.

According to the Highway Hotline, travel wasn’t recommended on Highway 41 northeast of Saskatoon, on Highway 376 near North Battleford, and on Highway 106 near Creighton.