It might be time to hunker down for winter – Environment Canada put out a special weather statement about freezing rain and snow for several areas in southern Saskatchewan overnight Wednesday.
The statement was issued for a strip of the province from the Alberta border from the Kindersley, and Rosetown area, through the Outlook, Moose Jaw, Humboldt, Fort Qu’Appelle, Regina, Yorkton and Moosomin areas to the Manitoba border.
It explained a low pressure system was heading east across the province, bringing with it colder temperatures.
Environment Canada predicted freezing rain falling, two to five millimetres in some areas, that will eventually turn into snow. Five to ten centimetres, or two to four inches, of snow was expected overnight.
With a buildup of rain, ice, and then snow overnight, travel will likely be difficult Thursday morning. See the latest conditions on the Highway Hotline.
Earlier on Wednesday
Some highways were already left in icy conditions Wednesday morning as precipitation fell throughout southern Saskatchewan.
Slick roads were reported in areas of Saskatchewan around Wakaw, Lloydminster and the Battlefords early in the morning.
On Wednesday morning CJME weather specialist John Wilson said the cool air would be hanging around Saskatchewan as pacific systems move over the province.
“Once it pulls through and (goes) off into the Dakotas, it’s going to pull in a little bit of colder air from the north in behind it,” Wilson said.
Normal temperatures for Regina this time of year see highs of -7 C and lows of -18 C.
The cold air will only hang around for about 10 days, Wilson said. So there is still a possibility some parts of southern Saskatchewan could still see a brown Christmas.