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A spring snowstorm that began Thursday continues to impact Saskatchewan, bringing hazardous driving conditions across much of the province, especially north of Saskatoon, though some areas are beginning to see gradual improvement.
Travel is still not recommended in several north-central regions, including near Rosthern, due to reduced visibility, ice, and drifting snow.
Roads in and around Saskatoon remain largely snow covered, with blowing snow and icy sections making travel difficult.
According to Shannon Moodie, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, the storm brought significant snowfall to central and northern parts of the province.
“Yesterday we had some snowfall warnings out through the central part of Saskatchewan and then through northern Saskatchewan there was winter storm warnings, expecting quite a bit of snow,” said Moodie.
Prince Albert recorded about 13 centimeters during the day Friday, while Meadow Lake saw around 14 centimeters, with similar reports in Saskatoon, she says.
“They were added to the warning during the day yesterday as heavier snow is moving a little bit south than we expected,” said Moodie.
Snowfall accumulation on the ground was even higher in some areas.
“The snow on ground sensor in Prince Albert is saying 37 centimeters, Meadow Lake 25 centimeters on the ground,” Moodie said, adding Saskatoon received reports of “between 22 and 25 centimeters of snow.”
The storm also brought blowing snow and reduced visibility, particularly in western Saskatchewan near the Alberta border, where travel advisories were issued.
Highway conditions remain poor in several parts of the province, according to the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline’s latest report issued Saturday morning.
Travel is still not recommended in areas including Melfort, Nipawin, and Spiritwood, where drivers may face ice, loose snow, snow drifts, and reduced visibility.
Highway conditions evolving
Several highways in those regions are also affected.
Routes near Prince Albert and along Highway 3 and Highway 23 remain under travel not recommended advisories due to ice and drifting snow.
Further south, conditions around Swift Current have begun to improve slightly, with some travel advisories lifted.
However, many highways in the area remain partly or fully snow-covered.
The Saskatchewan Highway Hotline has recommended against travelling on several highways north of Saskatoon at around 7:40 a.m. Saturday morning. (Highway Hotline)
While the system is now weakening and weather warning have ended, unsettled conditions are expected to persist.
“All of the associated warnings have been ended, but with that we’re still in really an unsettled cool air mass,” said Moodie. “Through the weekend and Monday, Saskatchewan’s going to see lots of little flurries and definitely cooler temperatures.”
Moodie said conditions should gradually improve heading into next week, though she noted road conditions will depend on cleanup efforts.
“It just depends on when they clear them,” she said.