Travel warnings lifted as storm abates

Drivers across Saskatchewan were challenged by a wild winter storm, but most roadways have cleared up as of Wednesday morning.

Throughout the day Tuesday, RCMP and the Highways Hotline were cautioning drivers to stay off the roads in numerous areas throughout the province. Heavy snow and powerful winds created bad visibility and hazardous conditions across central and south Saskatchewan, where storm warnings had been put in effect by Environment Canada. Highways 1 and 11 were particularly treacherous, with the RCMP warning motorists to avoid travel whenever possible.

The Mounties responded to an crash in Lumsden involving three semi-trucks. No one was hurt in that incident, but traffic was slowed down for hours in the area.

Wednesday morning’s update from the Highways Hotline included no travel restrictions, but did note that most areas of Saskatchewan continue to see winter conditions like icy and slippery sections, loose snow, snow drifts, and swirling snow.

The storm delivered exactly what forecasters were predicting, with areas like Fort Qu’Appelle and Beechy seeing eight-to-10 centimetres (four-to-five inches) of snow, according to Environment Canada’s Mike Russo.

“But I suspect higher amounts occurred in the Davidson area, probably out towards Yorkton.”

Now come the cold temperatures: a high-pressure ridge that is following the storm in from the Arctic means temperatures in the negative double digits. Thankfully, milder temperatures are in store for later in the week.