RCMP warns of treacherous highway conditions across Saskatchewan

A blast of winter weather caused by an Alberta clipper is creating difficult driving conditions on highways across Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan RCMP issued an advisory on Friday morning, warning that road conditions and visibility have been affected by snow, with many highway lanes covered, and strong winds adding to the challenges drivers may face.

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“Before travelling, check the weather and road conditions along your route,” the Mounties advised in a statement.

“If poor weather or road conditions exist or are forecasted, consider delaying travel if possible. If travel is necessary, stay on roads that have recently received road maintenance.”

According to the provincial Highway Hotline, travel was not recommended on Friday morning for many parts of the province. That includes routes around Swift Current and Shaunavon in the southwest, Moosomin, Carlyle and Indian Head in the southeast, Wynyard, Wadena and Foam Lake in the east-central part of the province, and Nipawin and Carrot River in the northeast.

Meanwhile, a blowing snow advisory from Environment Canada remained in place on Friday morning for southeast Saskatchewan.

“Widespread poor visibility in blowing snow continues across much of southern Saskatchewan early this morning with northerly winds gusting up to 70 km/h,” the weather service said in a statement.

“Conditions should gradually improve this morning as winds abate somewhat.”

The latest information on road conditions can be found on the Highway Hotline’s website. The latest information on Environment Canada’s alerts can be found on the weather service’s website.

Blowing snow and road closures force truckers to wait in Regina

Several semis were parked at the Husky/Esso truck stop in east Regina on Friday due to road closures on Highway 1.

Earl Purdy, who been trucking for 40 years, said he left Ontario on Tuesday and is headed to Alberta when the winter conditions forced him to wait in the Queen City.

Semis parked at the Husky/Esso Truck stop on Prince of Wales Drive in east Regina. (Abby Zieverink/980 CJME)

“I got into Grenfell last night,” he said. “Trucks were jackknifed on the highway and there was drifting snow, so we stayed there until four this morning.”

Purdy said he left at 4 a.m. and it took him two hours to get to Regina, which is longer than normal.

“From Grenfell to Indian Head, you couldn’t see an inch in front of you,” he said. “It was just unreal.”

Purdy explained that because he has livestock on his trailer, there is a bit of a time crunch.

“We’re only allowed 36 hours on the trailer,” he explained.

He said that while nothing stresses him out after 40 years on the job, blowing snow and icy roads can be a big challenge in a semi.

“You got the weight pushing you, so you got to be careful, and that’s the problem. Everyone gets in a hurry and then it’s over.”

Another trucker, Brad Soucie, said road closures and poor highway conditions are something all truckers expect to experience in the winter months.

“Especially this winter,” he said. “This winter has been very bad.”

However, he said winter driving can actually be more challenging in a smaller vehicle when there are poor conditions on the roads.

“Believe it or not, it’s easier (in a semi),” he said. “The weight on the road holds you down. It’s harder to stop, but you just drive accordingly.”

Soucie said when there are a lot of road closures and poor visibility, it can make trips take a lot longer.

“It’s time consuming. It took me five days to get here from Fort Erie, Ontario. That was with poor conditions, highway closures, and everything,” he said.

On a normal summer day, he said that the same trip, from Regina to Fort Erie takes about three and a half days.