THE BATTLEFORDS - A winter storm warning is currently in effect for the Battlefords as well as surrounding areas including Wilkie, Unity, Maidstone and St. Walburg.
The weather warnings cover much of the province as a winter storm that entered the province last night continues to pound the area throughout Tuesday.
According to Environment Canada, a low pressure system will bring heavy snow to parts of central Saskatchewan today and tonight. The heavy snow began yesterday and a break from the heaviest snow is expected today, but the next band of heavy snow will be moving in this afternoon and tonight. The snow band is expected to produce 15 to 30 cm of snow, according to Environment Canada, with locally higher amounts possible by Tuesday evening.
Environment Canada is also predicting winds in western parts of the warning to strengthen, gusting between 60 and 90 km/h, resulting in blowing snow and reduced visibility.
As of 1 p.m., Highway Hotline is reporting bad road conditions particularly to the northwest of the Battlefords. Highway 16 from the Battlefords to Lloydminster is under a Travel Not Recommended warning, with reports of icy or slippery sections, loose snow, snow packed areas, snow drifts, swirling snow and drifting snow on the road. Travel is also not recommended on highway 4 north of the Battlefords all the way to Meadow Lake, and on highway 26 from Vawn to Turtleford.
Conditions are not reported to be quite as bad on highway 16 to Saskatoon, with Highway Hotline reporting winter conditions on those roads, but travellers are urged to continue to watch for further updates on road conditions.
Environment Canada is urging people to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve, due to concerns about reduced visibility. Public Safety Canada is also encouraging people to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.
The City of North Battleford has issued a news release in which they state that their crews will be out removing snow and sanding from the City’s priority routes. The city will start by clearing main arterials, emergency routes and access points to the city before moving on to secondary streets. The city is urging drivers to respect any closures and find alternative routes if intersections are closed during snow removal and blockades set up. As well, residents and business owners in the downtown must clear sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall; if not the City will clear it for them and send the owner the charges for the costs.
