South, central Sask. hit by freezing rain, snow

Freezing rain and snow could put the brakes on highway travel across south and central Saskatchewan Tuesday.

Early in the morning Environment, Canada issued weather warnings and statements about a band of freezing rain and snow across Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg and Regina stretching north to Saskatoon and Watrous and southeast around Estevan and Weyburn.

The combination of snow and freezing rain created treacherous conditions on highways around Moose Jaw and up in the Lloydminster area early in the morning.

The Highway Hotline issued a travel advisory on Highway 16 between Lloydminster and Maymont due to ice covered roads.

Meanwhile, drivers south of Moose Jaw on Highway 2 warned others to stay off the roads if they can avoid them because the highway is snow covered with drifts and freezing rain.

Road conditions change quickly so check the Highway Hotline for updates throughout the day. Link: https://hotline.gov.sk.ca/mobile/

Before 6 a.m. Tuesday, Environment Canada meteorologist Mike Russo said the freezing rain will be short-lived.

“The freezing rain itself should be relatively brief in nature. Most areas have been reporting about 30 to 60 minutes of freezing rain as the band goes through,” he said.

As that weather system meets colder air from the north, the freezing rain will gradually change over to snow.