‘This one looks particularly bad:’ Meteorologist warns about incoming storm

The word “historic” has been attached to the storm that’s poised to hit Saskatchewan on Tuesday night — and Natalie Hasell says that description fits perfectly.

“If we look at some of the statistics — say, for Estevan in Saskatchewan — a 30-plus-centimetre storm after April 11 has only been observed twice since 1902,” Hasell, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s warning preparedness meteorologist, said during a conference call with reporters Tuesday.

“Perhaps it is appropriate that we are calling this storm historic. The stats show Estevan receives 10 centimetres of snow after April 11 typically.”

Models say this storm will dump significantly more than that before moving out of the area.

The forecast says between 30 and 50 centimetres of snow will fall in southeast Saskatchewan, with areas of Manitoba with higher elevations receiving 80 cm — if not more.

Winds are expected to be between 70 and 90 kilometres per hour, creating reduced visibility.

Hasell said the snow should start to fly in Saskatchewan around midnight Tuesday. There’s to be a break in some areas Wednesday, but Hasell cautioned that will be just a lull and the storm will resume before the low moves into northwestern Ontario by the weekend.

“Areas in the prairies should see a gradual improvement and definite clearing by the time we get to Saturday,” Hasell said.

After that, temperatures are expected to be below normal for several days. A freeze-thaw cycle will result, which Hasell said could help limit the threat of flooding.

Before that, however, Environment Canada is warning people to be ready for a serious storm. Blizzard warnings were in place for areas around Weyburn, Estevan, Moosomin, Grenfell and others on Tuesday afternoon.

The weather service suggested people should stock up on items they may need — including prescription medications — and to be ready for possible power outages.

“We want people to be prepared,” Hasell said. “We also know that while we deal with bad weather a lot of the time (in this country), many Canadians don’t actually have an emergency kit. So that (warning) was the reminder that one can be better prepared.

“Even if (people) have managed through recent storms, this one looks particularly bad.”

The emergency kit should include items such as food, water, candles, matches or a lighter, blankets, comfort items and contact information.

Hasell suggested people should have kits at home and in their vehicles. In reality, though, she’d like to see people stay off the road altogether.

“If people can be flexible in their plans and reschedule their travel, this would be the time,” Hasell said. “I would suggest avoiding travel (and) avoiding being in the wide-open areas like the highway in particular.

“But even within small distances or within communities or the city, it will be difficult to get around.”

Hasell noted that when it’s safe to move around, it would be a good idea for people to check in on neighbours who may have struggled during the storm.

“There are people who will have trouble dealing with this, who might not have the physical strength to shovel themselves out (or) who might not have access to what they need,” Hasell said.

“I think people in the prairies are really good at being good neighbours. This is the time to continue with that.”