Snow causes poor road conditions in and around Saskatoon

Saskatoon remained under a snowfall warning Monday morning, with drivers reporting poor conditions on highways around the city.

Environment Canada warned that a Colorado Low system would dump more snow on the province throughout the day Monday, adding to significant snowfall seen over the weekend throughout Saskatchewan.

The weather service called for snow to taper off early Monday morning in Saskatoon, with a 60 per cent chance of freezing drizzle or light snow later in the morning and into the afternoon. Snow was then expected to begin falling again by later Monday afternoon.  Overall, about two to four centimetres of snow was expected to fall.

The city said 70 pieces of equipment —including graders, plows and sanders—were on the roads and sidewalks attempting to clear the snow as fast as possible.

Brandon Harris, director of roadways and operations, said crews normally work to clear every street within 72 hours but the second storm on Sunday forced them to “reset the clock.”

He added plows had to divert from clearing main roads on Sunday night after reports of impassable snow drifts in some residential neighbourhoods.

A full crew was continuing snow removal through Monday, with several convoys of six to eight graders and plows working in tandem to clear every lane at once on main roads.

Harris urged patience from drivers, noting the convoy method saves the city $50,000 per snow event.

The snowfall was expected to clear up before Tuesday morning in Saskatoon.

Poor highway conditions, cancelled buses

Travel was not recommended on many highways around Saskatoon early Monday morning.  By 7:30 a.m., advisories had been lifted for Highway 11 and Highway 1, but remained in place on Highway 7, Highway 14, Highway 41 and Highway 219.

Drivers were urged to check the latest conditions reported by the province’s Highway Hotline before travelling.

Prairie Spirit School Division cancelled all its buses except those for Warman and Martensville.

Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools cancelled all rural bus service south of Saskatoon, including Farm School bus service.