After basking in some unseasonably warm weather for the past few weeks of October, people in Saskatchewan will have to brace for the first blast of winter.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement calling for rain mixed with snow and strong wind gusts across the southern half of the province.
The weather system is expected to dump five to 10 cm of snow around Cypress Hills.
“That area, of course, tends to get more snow because it’s a higher elevation, Environment Canada meteorologist Dan Fulton explained.
Rain is expected to start falling Wednesday afternoon, changing to light snow through the evening and overnight as the system gradually moves through Saskatoon and Regina.
The really heavy snow is expected in the north and southwest parts of the province. Meadow Lake, Prince Albert and Nipawin areas could get up to 10 cm.
Fulton said any snow in Regina, Saskatoon and the southeast likely won’t stick around too long.
“I don’t even think you’ll see a centimeter left on the ground. It’s going to be pretty windy as well so it’s just going to be snow going through the air and blowing away,” he said.
The wind is likely going to be a bigger problem with gusts up to 70 or 80 km/hr, it could be a nasty night to be out on the highways.
Shaunavon, Maple Creek and Cypress Hills and Lloydminster are under a warning for winds possibly gusting up to 100 km/hr.
A cold front is expected to follow the snow, with highs just a few degrees above freezing on Thursday and Friday.