Southern Saskatchewan will get its first dip into colder temperatures Wednesday, with wind and some snow coming with it.
Environment Canada issued a wind warning for most of southern Saskatchewan early Wednesday morning. The alert warns that northwesterly winds gusting up to 90 kilometres per hour will sweep through the area, along with falling temperatures.
“Cold fronts are going to roar through here … the wind behind it is a pretty powerful northwesterly,” said CJME weather specialist John Wilson.
The cold front will move into the province early Wednesday morning, with the high winds following behind.
Snow will also be part of the mix, meaning visibility might be an issue.
“Even if we get less than five centimetres, with a wind like this it will blow around pretty good.”
Wind may also be impacting some flights out of both Regina and Saskatoon. A travel alert from Air Canada warns travelers that some flights may be delayed or canceled Wednesday.
Between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., the RCMP had received 25 calls about collisions across the province. By noon, a semi had blocked the westbound lanes of the Trans-Canada Highway west of Regina by Pinkie Road. RCMP cleared the scene by 4 p.m.
A school bus carrying four children also lost control on the ice and hit the ditch on Highway 35 north of Tisdale. They were all treated on the scene and released.
STC says a gust of wind is what sent a bus sliding into a ditch near Otthon, just outside of Yorkton. There were three people on board and no one was hurt. Taxis were sent out to pick up the passengers and take them to Yorkton.
Semi blocking westbound lanes of #Hwy1 by Pinkie Road west of Regina. RCMP says expect significant delays #SkRoads pic.twitter.com/SUMYtQrqzK
— News Talk 980 CJME (@CJMENews) November 18, 2015
Recycling bins no match vs wind pic.twitter.com/epLvnCXYXz
— Kevin Martel (@KevinMartel) November 18, 2015
See the latest conditions on the Highway Hotline.
Environment Canada says the high wind may damage some buildings, tossing loose objects which could cause someone to get hurt.
As for temperatures, Wilson says southern Saskatchewean will dip further below 0 C. Regina may see a high of just -8 C on Saturday.
However, whatever snow that does fall likely won’t stick around. Wilson expects temperatures next week to melt away any snow.