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Environment Canada issued a number of freezing rain warnings and fog advisories for many parts of the province on Sunday, as the winter warmup continues in Saskatchewan for the next week.
Warnings were issued for Saskatoon, Martensville, Warman, Prince Albert, The Battlefords, Yorkton, Humboldt, Meadow Lake and a number of RMs and where a few hours of freezing rain were expected to make roads and walkways slippery before turning to mixed precipitation or snow, with up to 2 cm expected in more northern areas.
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Freezing rain warnings are issued when rain falling in sub-zero temperatures creates ice build-up and icy surfaces, the forecaster said in the warnings.
The City of Saskatoon said in a news release that sanding trucks will be out applying de-icing materials to Circle Drive, freeways, high traffic streets, bridge decks and intersections throughout the day and that drivers and pedestrians should use caution on roads and sidewalks.
Freezing rain warnings and fog advisories covered a large area of the province on Sunday. (Environment Canada screengrab)
Environment Canada meteorologist James Colangelo said on Saturday that temperatures across much of the province remain above seasonal norms, driven by a weather pattern that continues to favour warm air moving into the Prairies.
He explained the warmth had been reinforced by repeated pushes of air from the west, including Chinook events that developed in southern Alberta and spread eastward into Saskatchewan.
As a result, he said, Saskatchewan is expected to remain in a milder pattern through at least the middle of the month.
“We may see temperatures drop below seasonal, maybe a week, a week and a half out,” he said, adding the current conditions should last until Feb. 16 or Feb. 17.
Roads unpredictable in freezing rain
Kwei Quaye, vice president of Traffic Safety for SGI, said conditions like freezing rain can make roads unpredictable.
The Traffic Safety Spotlight for the month of February was released this week, highlighting that rear-end collisions made up 16 per cent of all crashes in the province from November to March, based on an average from 2020 to 2024.
“Even the most focused drivers need time to react when something unexpected happens, like if you come across an icy intersection and are unable to stop as quickly as anticipated,” said Quaye.
“Since the distance you need to stop increases as your speed increases, it’s important to reduce your speed, maintain a safe and longer following distance, be alert, and avoid distractions while driving.”
SGI encourages drivers to stay safe by:
- Adjusting speeds to the conditions, and remember that speed limits are for ideal road conditions.
- Maintaining a safe following distance, and increase the following distance when necessary
- Ensuring all seatbelts are buckled
- Staying alert at intersections, and watch out for drivers who might have a difficult time stopping on icy roads.
— with files from 980 CJME’s Jacob Bamhour and SwiftCurrentonline
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