Central Saskatchewan recovers from early blast of winter

The first day of fall was marked by snowfall and brutal driving conditions Saturday.

“Not what we want to see in September but there really isn’t much we can do about it,” Environment Canada Meteorologist Mike McDonald said Sunday.

“Just about all of central Saskatchewan picked up, at least, minor accumulation of two or three centimetres (of snow).”

According to McDonald, the area between Kindersley and Rosetown got the most snow with up to 15 centimetres, or just under six inches, falling.

“We usually see a few wet flurries around late September, but to get a snowfall of that magnitude is certainly uncommon,” he said.

The widespread snowfall mixed with rain and near-zero temperatures led Highway Hotline to warn drivers of winter conditions and in some cases not recommend travel.

McDonald said freezing drizzle overnight would likely make roads and highways slippery Sunday morning, but believed conditions would improve through the day.