SASKATCHEWAN — Conditions are expected to deteriorate in Saskatchewan over the course of the day Dec. 17, thanks to an Alberta clipper that has resulted in a blizzard warning.
Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the snow has made its way into the province and will spread eastward during the day. Winds are expected to pick up as the day progresses.
“We’re going to get a band of snow, maybe upwards of 20 centimetres of snow, and then you add on some wind gusts to 70 kilometres per hour, and you have the recipe for a blizzard,” she said in an interview with SaskToday.
The heaviest snow is expected to be along Highway 16 and about 100 kilometres to the south, but other areas can also expect snow. The strongest winds are forecasted for the southwest corner of the province, where gusts could exceed 100 kilometres per hour. A wind warning has been issued for the southwest.
“They won’t get as much snow, but we may see some power outages and this type of thing associated … so there’s lots of variables going on, depending on where you are in the province,” said Lang.
A “blizzard corridor” exists from North Battleford to Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Regina, she said, because there aren’t a lot of trees in the area.
“When you combine that with the snow that’s coming in that band, and those strong, strong winds, that’s probably where the worst of the blizzard conditions will be,” said Lang.
The snow itself will be out of Saskatchewan by the morning of Dec. 18, but the strong winds will linger, especially in the southeast corner, but she expects they should diminish.
The blizzard warning is in effect for the cities of Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw, and for communities in more than 200 RMs. Other areas could be added, she said, especially since winds are expected to be quite strong. But southern areas might not get enough snow for blizzard conditions.
Lang urged people to make informed decisions about travel. The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure’s Highway Hotline shows highway closures and travel not recommended advisories in different parts of the province.
“If they can postpone the travel, it would be a very smart idea to do so. Check the Highway Hotline before heading out. Check the weather forecasts. Check the warnings. And if you do head out, be prepared for extreme winter driving conditions. That means having winter tires on your car, having an emergency kit, a fully-charged cell phone, a full tank of gas. All of that,” she said.
Temperatures will be quite cold on Dec. 18 following the storm’s exit, but Lang doesn’t expect there will be an extreme cold warning. Another system is expected to roll through on Dec. 19, although not as powerful, and then cold temperatures will return on Dec. 20 and 21.
