REGINA — With a major blizzard moving into Regina, the city's police are advising residents to avoid travel if possible.
Freezing rain, heavy snowfall and strong winds will likely result in dangerous outdoor conditions both in and outside the city, the Regina Police Service says.
They urge residents to:
- Avoid travel if you can.
- Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
- Reduce your speed.
- Clear snow and ice off vehicle windows before driving.
- Ensure your lights are on.
They add that drivers who need assistance or see someone who does, they should call police.
A strong Alberta Clipper is bringing heavy snow and strong, gusty winds leading to blizzard conditions over portions of southern Saskatchewan beginning Wednesday morning. Regina is under an orange blizzard warning by Environment Canada, and a yellow warning for freezing rain.
Environment Canada's new colour-coded alerts indicate that a yellow warning means:
- Hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts
- Impacts are moderate, localized and/or short-term
- Yellow alerts are the most common
An orange alert means:
- Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts
- Impacts are major, widespread and/or may last a few days
- Orange alerts are uncommon
A red alert, not included in Wednesday's forecast, means:
- Very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption
- Impacts are extensive, widespread, and prolonged
- Red alerts are rare
Environment Canada points out that the same weather can have different impacts, depending on timing, location, and population. That’s why each weather alert now has a colour, to indicate the level of impact possible in a given area, so residents can prepare appropriately, says Environment Canada.
