Severe Weather Warning

As Saskatoon grapples with the aftermath of a recent snow dump, experts at Environment Canada are warning residents to prepare for an additional 25 cm of snow predicted to blanket the city, extending the wintry weather into Sunday morning.

Meteorologist Rose Carlsen reassured locals on Saturday that forecasts remain unchanged and the anticipated snowstorm is still set to hit. “The system is developing as expected, with snow starting to fall across southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan,” she reported. “The heavy snow is expected to taper off by tomorrow morning, but lighter flurries will linger over the southern part of the province on Sunday.”

City Officials Urging Preparedness

Given the impending weather conditions, city officials are ramping up efforts to clear the roads and prepare for potential disruptions, including impacts on emergency services and public transit. Pamela Goulden-McLeod, the director of emergency management, is urging residents to stock up on essential supplies by Saturday afternoon and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm. “This weekend will be inconvenient,” she warned. “Plan ahead and hunker down at home.”

The fewer vehicles out on the streets, the more manageable conditions will be, especially for snow removal crews and emergency responders. “Please finish any errands you need to do and stay safe at home,” she added.

Travel Advisory

As road conditions worsen, the scope of snowfall warnings could extend across much of southern Saskatchewan. Anyone needing to travel is advised to keep an eye on the provincial highway hotline for the latest updates. “Travel is not looking promising outside of Saskatoon,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of preparedness – including having an emergency kit in the vehicle and ensuring phones are charged.

Awaiting Snow Clearing Plans

Goran Saric, director of roadways for the city, indicated that if snowfall meets or exceeds 25 cm and disrupts travel for light vehicles, the city may activate its winter roads emergency response plan. This plan entails more than just focusing on priority roads: it includes grading local streets to improve accessibility.

“When we reach that point, we’ll be stepping up our efforts and adapting our strategies,” he explained. The decision to activate the plan will likely be made by Sunday, but Saric expects challenging driving conditions to ensue. “Snow-covered roads and reduced visibility will likely increase the chances of getting stuck for those with lighter vehicles,” he cautioned.

City's Snow Clearing Efforts

To combat the snowy conditions, as of Friday evening, the city had mobilized 26 graders, 13 sanders, five plows, and seven sidewalk plows, successfully clearing all Priority 1 streets, 80% of Priority 2 streets, and 50% of Priority 3 streets.

Public Transit Updates

Saskatoon Transit has also laid out plans to maintain regular service throughout the storm, although riders should anticipate potential delays of 20 minutes or more due to deteriorating road conditions. According to Mike Moellenbeck, director of Saskatoon Transit, buses may stop on the street to pick up passengers instead of entering bus stops to reduce the risk of becoming stuck.

“Safety is our priority, and we’ll adjust our service in response to conditions,” he stated, encouraging Access Transit users to reschedule non-essential appointments as service cancellations may be necessary.

As the weather takes a turn for the worse, residents are advised to stay informed and remain safe at home. This is a weekend when preparation is key – so don’t get caught unprepared!