Saskatchewan is about to go from fall to winter this weekend, according to one of Canada’s top forecasters.
“It could be one of the biggest (storms) of winter,” David Phillips, senior climatologist with Environment Canada, told 650 CKOM’s Brent Loucks Show on Wednesday.
“This is what we call a Colorado low, like an Alberta clipper, but it’s a little bit more impactful because it draws up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.”
The storm will cut through a large swath of the Prairies from southern Alberta to northern Manitoba, although the exact track is unclear.
Phillips said Saskatchewan is right in the crosshairs of the storm which is expected to hit Saturday night.
“It’s a big one. We could see 30 centimetres in some areas. The winds blowing and drifting. Zero visibility. I can’t emphasize enough: It is nasty,” said Phillips.
“What city folk may be cursing I think rural people (see as a) probably blessing. This is white gold for farmers. This is almost like money in the bank for the next growing season. ”
The snow will end sometime on Sunday with the return of sunshine by Monday but with below-average temperatures.