REGINA — Heavy winds and snow caused visibility issues for parts of Saskatchewan overnight on Thursday.
Environment Canada said parts of the province saw gusts anywhere from 90 km/h to 100 km/hr.
“Areas like Shaunavon saw some very strong winds and Mankota up towards Lucky Lake as well, gusts into that 100 kilometre per hour range. In areas like Regina, we saw gusts up to about 96 kilometres per hour. Over the last 24 hours, Saskatoon [has averaged] 89 kilometres per hour,” said Christy Climenhaga, scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
The highest record wind gusts were in Coronach and Estevan, clocking in at 104 km/h.
The strong winds with snow brought visibility issues, primarily on roads near Regina, where highways surrounding the city were closed Thursday night.
As of 11 a.m., some highways around the city still remain closed.
Environment Canada had forecast temporary reduced visibility, but Climenhaga called it “one of those systems you kind of have to watch as you go."
“It can be really tricky because we've had melting, we've had things icing over, and when you do get some very strong winds and if there is snow associated with it, that can reduce visibility.
The system also brought a reduction in temperatures as Southern Saskatchewan went from around 0 C temperatures on Thursday afternoon to -15 C temperatures Friday morning, feeling close to -30 C with the wind chill.
“So that's when you're looking at very slippery conditions,” noted Climenhaga.
As for the system, Climenhaga said central Saskatchewan should see improvements in wind throughout the day as the system heads east.
Meanwhile, southeastern Sask. will see the wind dropping later in the afternoon into the evening.
While winds will improve on Friday, Climenhaga said Environment Canada is tracking another system for southern Sask.
“We are watching another low-pressure system moving through this one, not looking quite as strong with the winds, but still some pretty strong gusts, maybe in that 70 to 80 kilometres per hour range.”
