Bursts of snow, strong winds may lead to reduced visibility
Drivers should beware the potential for low visibility at times this weekend as a snowy, windy system traverses the Prairies
A weekend system moving across the Prairies could cause travel issues as bursts of heavy snow and gusty winds lead to reduced visibility at times.
The snow will arrive in two batches, with the threat for heavy snow and blustery conditions arriving during the second round late Saturday into Sunday.
Stay aware of highway conditions before hitting the road if you have to go out this weekend.
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Weekend system brings snow, winds to the Prairies
A system riding the edge of Arctic air will sweep Saskatchewan and Manitoba on Saturday and into Sunday. Two rounds of snow will move through the region with a brief pause in between.
Snow moved into northern and central Saskatchewan into Saturday morning.
This snow will push into southern sections of Saskatchewan and Manitoba by Saturday afternoon, clearing out of Saskatchewan by dinnertime but lingering until around midnight in Manitoba.
We’ll see a pause in precipitation before a cold front sweeps through central and southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba on Saturday evening through Sunday morning. Bursts of heavy snow with wind gusts up to 70 km/h will accompany this front.
Communities affected by the bursts of heavy snow will see drifting and reduced visibility before winds subside on Sunday afternoon.
Expect the burst of heavy snow to cross the Yellowhead and Highway 1 corridors around midnight. Saskatchewan will have the highest chance for heavier bands of snow, with sudden reductions in visibility possible on the roadways.
Widespread snowfall totals of 3-5 cm will fall from northern Saskatchewan through southern Manitoba, including Yorkton, Dauphin, and Winnipeg. Communities around the Manitoba Lakes may see 5-10 cm of snow through Sunday. Folks in Regina may see less than 3 cm from this event.
Looking ahead, residents should prepare for widespread severe cold heading into next week, featuring frigid temperatures and dangerously low wind chill values.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.