A dangerous mix of heavy winds and some fresh snow were the ingredients that led to a blowing snow advisory that was issued throughout most of Saskatchewan including the Humboldt area on Thursday.
Dan Fulton with Environment and Climate Change Canada recaps the weather front that travelled through the province.
“A low-pressure system moved through Saskatchewan last night (Thursday) and associated with it was a cold front.”
He added, “As that cold front moved through, we got some pretty strong northernly winds and resulted in a lot of blowing snow across the province.”
While the blowing snow advisory has been lifted, the effects are still being felt,
Highway #5 is reporting partly covered conditions with loose swirling and drifting snow with some packed snow. Travel is not recommended east of Watson.
Highway #20 is reporting covered conditions with reduced visibility along with loose swirling and drifting snow.
Other areas in the province with travel not recommended warnings include the Swift Current and southwest area, along with eastern and southeast sections around Regina and Yorkton.
Sections of Highway #1 west of Regina.
To check the latest road conditions, you can click here.
Fulton says while the blowing snow will ease off, heavy winds will continue.
“The wind will last most of the day, it will come down a little bit, especially in the Wynyard area, it will be pretty much the same throughout the day.”
He noted the cold arctic air following this cold front will bring some extreme cold temperatures.
“Although the winds diminishing, we’re looking at windchills dropping to -40°C in much of the area. “
Fulton says we can expect temperatures this weekend below -20°C with the wind will create windchills around -40°C that will cause extreme cold temperature warnings to be issued.
The extreme cold is anticipated to last through the weekend according to Fulton who added that a warmup is expected around Tuesday but also said as usual with the warmup, snow is expected to accompany it. He said it’s too early to say exactly how much snow we can see with the warmup.