Saskatchewan was expected to have a stormy, wintry weekend, with Saturday Nov. 7 in Assiniboia and the South Central region being an exception, when the weather represented a cloudy, rainy day in late autumn with the weather stretching from 0 C to -9 C, along with winds from the east and northeast ranging from 17-25 kilometres per hour.
Ice pellets were expected overnight on Saturday as the weather cooled.
Thereafter, blizzards and scattered flurries were predicted for Assiniboia/Gravelbourg on Sunday, Nov. 8 and Monday Nov. 9 with highs of -3 C to lows of -15 C, along with winds from the west and northwest extending from 30-40 kilometres per hour.
Light freezing rain arrived on Sunday morning, followed by snow from 8-9 a.m.
By Friday Nov. 13, seasonal weather was anticipated to return to Assiniboia/Gravelbourg with mainly sunny weather and highs of -4 C and lows of -7 C.
Before the weekend began, crews from the Ministry of Highways were reported to be standby on Nov. 6 to respond to any snowfalls on a 24/7 basis.
A total of 300 snow plows were stationed at nearly 75 locations across Saskatchewan with stockpiles of salt and sand located throughout the province.
Residents in the province were prompted to keep up-to-date by downloading the SaskAlert app. The SaskAlert app gives essential data on potential weather emergencies in real time. This app is accessible on Apple and Android app stores at no cost.
“Emergency response staff and resources are being deployed and are ready to respond if and when needed,” said Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency President Marlo Pritchard. “The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) is already coordinating with government agencies, utilities and other emergency managers.”
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) is prepared to assist communities whenever they require support in unsafe situations. Community leaders can get in touch with their local SPSA Emergency Services Officer at 1-800-667-9660 or by calling 911.
When winter storms are projected, residents in Saskatchewan were encouraged to develop an emergency plan and prepare an emergency kit.
Alternative sources of heating fuel, such as firewood and propane, should be stored. Barbecues, portable generators, propane or kerosene heaters must never be used indoors, since burning fuel with closed areas creates carbon monoxide – a fatal, unscented gas.
Residents were asked to consider purchasing a portable generator. Animal owners were reminded to provide shelter for livestock and pets as well as an available water supply that won’t freeze. The government further advised residents in rural areas to tie strings between buildings to use as orienteering guides.
Blowing snow reduces visibility, making driving difficult. Therefore, the Canadian Red Cross advised drivers to be cautious, to stay at home if possible and to keep winter survival kits inside the trunks of their vehicles.
Georgie Schuring, Saskatchewan Operations Manager, Disaster Management for Red Cross Saskatchewan, suggested motorists might want to purchase ready-to-go road safety kits from the Red Cross or prepare their own packages filled with winter-ready gear.
