SASKATCHEWAN – Second update, Dec. 19, 3:58 p.m.: White Butte Detachment is reporting the Highway 10 overpass directing travel to Yorkton is sheer ice with vehicles unable to drive on it. There are multiple collisions east of Balgonie as well and there is zero visibility in many areas due to blowing snow.
Craik RCMP are reporting Highway 11 is closed between Aylesbury and Davidson with many vehicles in the ditch and the roads iced over due to blowing snow. One officer who is out responding to collisions shared with us that it’s a whiteout on the road and while you can hear vehicles driving, you can’t see where they are coming from.
The RCMP stress again: Drivers should find a safe place to wait out the storm; do not travel on the highways.
Update, Dec. 19, 12:10 p.m.: RCMP officers report two semi (tractor-trailer) units are jackknifed across Highway 10 on the Regina (west) side of the Qu’Appelle Valley just before/entering Fort Qu’Appelle. The road may be blocked while the semis are moved; anyone travelling can expect significant delays.
RCMP officers responding to calls for service across southern Saskatchewan advise: “Avoid travelling.”
Original post, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.: The Saskatchewan RCMP are reminding drivers that if they don't have to travel, it's better to stay home due to poor road conditions on Dec. 19, as a result of the snowy weather.
Officers report very reduced visibility across the province and many roads have "Travel Not Recommended" on the Highway Hotline. Environment Canada has alerts out for blowing snow across most of the southern half of the province.
"We reiterate our messaging from this week: If you don’t have to travel, stay home and stay safe," the RCMP said in a news release.
The Saskatchewan RCMP remind the public that if travel is not essential, wait until road conditions along your route improve before driving. If travel is necessary, stay on roads that have recently received road maintenance. Travellers can access information on road conditions and track which roads have been plowed, salted, and/or sanded within the last two hours at hotline.gov.sk.ca/map (English only).
Saskatchewan RCMP continue to remind the public to avoid calling 911 or local RCMP detachments for updates on road conditions. Calling 911 must be reserved for emergencies and crimes in progress, and using it in non-emergent situations could prevent someone with a life-threatening emergency from getting help.
For more information on how to prepare for winter driving, visit here.
