UPDATE WEDNESDAY EVENING: Environment Canada: Freezing rain, 10 cm of snow, and blowing snow will affect the region.
Freezing rain and snow have moved into much of central Saskatchewan. As the evening continues, more snow will fall and the winds will increase. As a result, blowing snow will occur. The freezing rain will end this evening, but the snow will end this evening or overnight.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.
UPDATE: Wednesday morning: Environment Canada - A strong low pressure system will track across Saskatchewan today giving a wintry mix to most of the province. Precipitation will begin as freezing rain Wednesday morning over the northern grainbelt before switching to heavy snow in the afternoon. Strong northwesterly winds will develop with the snow leading to visibility reductions in blowing snow at times. Snowfall totals with this system will be in the 10 to 15 cm range by time the heavy snow tapers off Wednesday night.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. For information on emergency plans and kits go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca.
BACKGROUND: Tuesday evening: A winter storm is predicted to start Wednesday morning, bringing the chance of freezing rain and switching to heavy snow. Winds are forecasted to reach 80 km/h, gusting to 110 km/h with possible localized wind gusts of 100 km/h. The predicted snowfall is between 10 cm to 15 cm, including scattered rain showers and potential freezing rain.
This storm is expected to last until late Thursday night or early Friday morning.
The City of North Battleford is saying residents are encouraged to remove waste bins from the street, to avoid their waste bins from blowing over and waste littering the streets. Loraas Environmental Services is aware of the situation. The city and Loraas will determine if an alternative waste pick up for affected residents will be required.
The City of North Battleford Roadways Department will be out clearing snow from this storm to keep the main thoroughfares open. In a release, tThe city thanks residents for removing vehicles from the street during this storm, ensuring roadway crews can best maintain the streets during this intense storm.
Environment Canada says hazardous winter conditions are expected:
A strong low pressure system will track across Saskatchewan Wednesday giving a wintry mix to most of the province. Precipitation will begin as freezing rain Wednesday morning over the northern grainbelt before switching to heavy snow in the afternoon. Snowfall totals with this system will be in the 10-15 cm range by time the heavy snow tapers off Wednesday night.
These winter storm warnings may be expanded as the system develops.
This system will also be affecting areas south of the winter storm warning with strong winds and blowing snow. West to northwest winds, with gusts of 90-110 km/h, will affect much of southern Saskatchewan, beginning Wednesday afternoon over the southwest and into the south central and southeast Wednesday night.
Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
Winter storm warning in effect for:
R.M. of Battle River including Sweet Grass Res. and Delmas
R.M. of Britannia including Hillmond
R.M. of Buffalo including Wilkie and Phippen
R.M. of Cut Knife including Cut Knife
R.M. of Douglas including Speers Richard and Alticane
R.M. of Eldon including Maidstone and Waseca
R.M. of Frenchman Butte including St. Walburg
R.M. of Glenside north of Biggar
R.M. of Hillsdale including Neilburg and Baldwinton
R.M. of Manitou Lake including Marsden
R.M. of Mayfield including Maymont Denholm and Fielding
R.M. of Medstead including Medstead Belbutte and Birch Lake
R.M. of Meota including Meota and The Battlefords Prov. Park
R.M. of Mervin including Turtleford Mervin and Spruce Lake
R.M. of North Battleford northwest of The Battlefords
R.M. of Parkdale including Glaslyn and Fairholme
R.M. of Paynton including Paynton
R.M. of Round Hill including Rabbit Lake and Whitkow
R.M. of Round Valley including Unity
R.M. of Senlac including Senlac
R.M. of Turtle River including Edam and Vawn
R.M. of Wilton including Lashburn Marshall and Lone Rock
The Battlefords
