Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a special weather statement for Regina and the surrounding area as well as a winter storm warning for Saskatoon.

In Regina, an Alberta clipper will bring rapidly changing weather conditions with strong winds, rain changing to snow, and low temperatures starting Saturday afternoon through to Sunday.

Difficult travel conditions will arise with the weather due to significantly reduced visibility in falling and blowing snow and icy conditions.

The weather will improve through the day on Sunday as winds ease and snow gradually tapers off. However, travel will still be challenging as temperatures will continue to plummet throughout Sunday.

This system is quickly followed by a second system early next week, which will bring another shot of accumulating snowfall to parts of Saskatchewan.

In Saskatoon, the clipper will bring little to no visibility with 10 to 20 cm of snow and blowing snow and a risk of freezing rain Saturday morning.

A mix of rain with a risk of freezing rain will move into west-central and northern grainbelt areas, including Saskatoon and North Battleford, overnight and into Saturday morning.

By Saturday afternoon, heavy, wet snow will begin to fall and the area will see northwest winds gusting up to 80 km/h.

As a result, significantly reduced visibility for travel is expected during the afternoon and into Sunday morning.

Travel will also be hazardous due to icy conditions.

Conditions will improve overnight on Saturday in the west and on Sunday in the east.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, people should consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

Keep up to date with the road conditions on the Highway Hotline.