A late-April snowstorm has blanketed areas throughout southeast Saskatchewan, causing travel disruptions and snow removal challenges in Arcola, Carlyle, and Kipling. With wet snow and slushy roads, residents and officials are urging caution on the roads.
In Arcola, Town Administrator Rebecca Korchinski shared her thoughts on the difficult driving conditions. “The roads, obviously, are going to be a little slick as it did rain before the snow, so I'd advise everybody to just take that extra time to get to work this morning,” she said.
Korchinski explained that Arcola’s town crew is responsible for clearing the streets. “Our town guys actually clear all the streets within our town,” she said. She added that although driving this morning wasn’t too terrible, there was still slush on the roads. “There’s snow stuck to the roads, and it is pretty slushy. Just take that extra time to come to a complete stop.”
While the storm has been challenging, Korchinski mentioned that the town has had few requests for help. “Just earlier this morning, a gentleman stopped in and was inquiring if I knew of a local towing service that could assist somebody getting towed out from Highway 13,” she said.
She also reminded the public to stay safe and be mindful of snowplows. “If you see the snowplow, keep your distance. In town, it’s not too, too terrible, but obviously the highways are a different story with the higher speeds, so take your time and keep your eyes out and drive safe,” Korchinski advised.
In Kipling, Mayor Pat Jackson described a thick blanket of snow outside his home, severely limiting visibility. “Outside my north-facing window, I cannot see out. It’s all stuck on the screen,” she said. Jackson noted that the snow had piled up to eight inches deep on his driveway and that trees and rooftops were covered. With the snow still falling, he urged residents to stay home. “Tuck yourselves in and stay put,” he said. “It’s a whole lot safer than trying to be out doing anything today.”
Despite the ongoing snowstorm, the town’s public works crew is staying on top of snow removal. “It’s not windy right now, but there’s still more snow coming. We’re trying to use some common sense,” said Jackson. The town follows a clear snow-clearing priority: hospital areas and highway access come first, followed by Main Street and business areas. However, with snow still falling, Jackson noted that full snow removal efforts are likely delayed until the weather eases.
The storm, however, could benefit the farming community, as the region is in need of moisture. “The moisture is much-needed,” Jackson said.
In Carlyle, Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Miller shared her experience navigating the town this morning. “It’s still a struggle just to get across town,” she said. “The snow is still coming, and the roads are slippery underneath.”
Like Kipling, Carlyle is taking a measured approach to snow removal. Snow crews have been dispatched to clear key areas, but the town is waiting for the storm to ease before committing to full-scale removal. Miller’s advice was simple: “Be careful out there. The intersections are slippery, so drive safely.”
For many residents in both towns, the late-April snowstorm serves as a reminder of how quickly Saskatchewan’s weather can change. Despite the frustration of an unexpected snowstorm, Miller remains hopeful that spring will soon arrive. “Hopefully spring’s on the way and this is the last snowfall,” she said.
With more snow expected throughout the day, towns are reminding residents to stay safe, limit travel if possible, and remain patient as snow removal efforts continue. As Jackson said, “We can’t change the weather, but we can make sure we stay safe through it.”