We can deal with breaking a record for cold in January but it’s not the news you want to hear in April.

David Phillips with Environment Canada confirms that’s exactly what happened on Tuesday, when Regina broke a 65-year-old record for April 9.

“We’re reporting a record of minus 18.7 (degrees Celsius) at 3:00 a.m. this morning and even after that record was determined it got colder,” Phillips said, noting the mercury dropped to minus 20 degrees. “Literally smashed the previous record of this date which was minus 15.6 (degrees C) back in 1948.”

As of April 1, Regina had seen 32 roof collapses reported through SGI Canada.  Since that time, roof collapses have brought down a building at Evraz Place, a former daycare and a pawn shop on Dewdney Avenue.

The Wascana Centre Authority (WCA) is as ready as it can be ahead of flooding at Wascana Lake.  However, their flood preparations do not include putting sandbags around the newly renovated Queen Elizabeth II Gardens.

You can see how the weight of a rough winter is taking a heavy toll on buildings across Saskatchewan as another roof collapsed on a Dewdney Avenue pawn shop in Regina.

You can barely see the damage from the side view of the Absolute Cash pawn shop building next to 7-Eleven on Dewdney Avenue and Robinson Street. But looking through the front door you can see a pile of debris under the collapsed roof.

If you think cruising through ruts is hard in your vehicle, imagine doing it in a fire truck.

As some cars are forced to park on the outside of giant snow banks, narrow streets are posing a problem for Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services.

“We do have some issues the way some people are parking or have to park. The trucks do have some trouble negotiating down the streets because it is so narrow,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bill Coffin. 

A combination of snow and spring weather has left the highways around Regina in poor condition.

Highway 1 West that leads out to Belle Plain is reporting travel not recommended.

Many other areas along the highway had their warning lifted but it is still not completely clear and has slippery sections.

Travel is also not recommended on portions of Highway 6, 306, 46, 48 and 33.

Rebecca Kohlruss with the Highway Hotline said for the time being many of the highways are worth avoiding altogether.

The City of Saskatoon is asking residents to bear with them as they try and get graders out to clear the city's worst roads.

"We're doing our best. We've got crews out seven days a week. We're motoring through as quickly as we can, but it is taking time," said Pat Hyde, branch manager with the City of Saskatoon's public works department.

By taking a look outside your window today, you'd likely never say that the hot spot in all of Canada is right here in Saskatchewan.

But it is.

Maple Creek, in the south west corner and just 380 kilometers away from Regina, is 16 C today.

Town Councillor Tina Cresswell said it really feels like spring outside.

"Robins walking around the yard picking worms, and leaves that weren't raked last winter blowing gently in the breeze, and are lawnmowers running," she said.

Snow and icy roads are making terrible driving conditions south of Saskatoon.

According to RCMP, there are at least 40 semi-trucks that are backed up in the northbound lane of Highway 11 near the Blackstrap Hill. It has caused that stretch of road to become impassible.

While motorists are asked to avoid the area and delay travel, some have headed out and find themselves stuck in both the north and south lanes.

When you look outside your window Friday, just remember spring is coming, eventually.

The April snow in the forecast has arrived, getting progressively worse through the morning.

Meanwhile there are also freezing rain warnings out for regions west of Regina and that is playing havoc with the roads.
 
We are getting reports by text message of black ice on highways around Moose Jaw.

The highway hotline is saying travel isn't recommended in the Assiniboia and Gravelbourg areas.