Environment Canada issues special weather statement for snow

It may seem early to be thinking about winter with leaves still hanging on many of the trees, but some people in the province could end up dusting off the white stuff from their vehicles this weekend.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Friday, calling for snowfall of up to 30 centimetres in areas in southwest Saskatchewan like Swift Current, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Leader and Maple Creek.

Before the statement was issued, meteorologist Justin Shaer discussed the possibility of snow this weekend.

“It hasn’t been -15 C or something yet for a while. So we are looking at warmer temperatures and with that we do have more moisture. We get that heavier, stickier snow with it,” Shaer said.

“Especially over the Cypress Hills with the higher terrain into (those southwest communities), it does look like you would have to dust off the shovel for this time of year.”

Rain is in the forecast for Swift Current for Friday and Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 2 C to 7 C. But the weather agency is calling for a mix of rain and snow with a high of 4 C on Sunday.

Regina and Saskatoon likely won’t see any snow this weekend, but there is some forecast for both cities on Monday.

Saskatoon should hit highs of 7 C on Friday and Saturday and then 6 C on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Regina is expected to hit 8 C on Friday, then 5 C with a mix of sun and cloud on Saturday and then 4 C on Sunday with some rain.

“There is a chance you could get a mix (of rain and snow) Sunday night and into Monday,” Shaer said. “Even in Moose Jaw and creeping north to the Outlook region.”

He said the moisture and possible snow are coming from a system developing over B.C. and the pacific northwest areas of the United States, stretching east over parts of Wyoming.