Special weather statement for southern and central Saskatchewan

Environment Canada is issuing a special weather statement covering all of central and southern Saskatchewan.

Meteorologist Eric Dykes said Sunday an Alberta clipper is to bring a harsh mix of winter weather to the prairies starting Monday.

“What is going to happen as we speak in general terms across the province of Saskatchewan is blowing snow, strong winds, risk of freezing rain and dropping temperatures in behind it as well,” Dykes said.

“The temperatures really start to drop once again as we get into Tuesday across most of Saskatchewan. We get down to highs in the -20s or teens once again.”

Some parts of the province could end up seeing around six inches of snow as well as wind gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour on Monday.

Those strong winds, combined with freshly fallen snow, are expected to produce intense blowing snow. The worst is expected to be around the Yellowhead and Trans-Canada highways and will likely result in a deterioration of travel conditions according to the weather office.

“Things will take a turn for the worse on Monday and then we’re going to get into the cold weather thereafter,” Dykes said.

The system is expected to start settling in on parts of the province Monday morning before conditions start deteriorating by the afternoon.