Fall gave way to winter across parts of southern Saskatchewan on Sunday.
Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings for areas across the southern part of the province, with some regions expected to receive between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow.
Areas around Regina, Moose Jaw, Pense, Assiniboia, Fort Qu’Appelle, Indian Head, Lumsden, Pilot Butte, Craik, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, Humboldt, Wynyard and Lanigan were included in the warnings.
“Strong northerly winds are also expected to accompany the falling snow,” Environment Canada’s warning read. “Expect visibilities to be reduced while travelling in heavy, falling snow. The snow will gradually taper off Monday morning.”
Just before 6 p.m., the Highway Hotline said the Trans-Canada Highway was closed from Belle Plaine west to Swift Current and Highway 11 was closed Lumsden to Aylesbury. Other highways around Moose Jaw also were closed.
Travel wasn’t recommended on a number of roads, including the Trans-Canada from Mortlach to the junction of Highway 19 west of Chaplin, Highway 6 from the Queen City to Southey, and Highway 10 from Balgonie to Melville.
The Highway Hotline said winter driving conditions existed for most highways in the southern half of the province.
The Regina Police Service issued a media release just before 10:30 a.m., saying officers had responded to several calls about minor crashes and vehicles sliding off roads into ditches. No injuries were reported.
In addition to the snowfall warnings, winter storm warnings were in place for areas around Yorkton, Melville, Moosomin, Grenfell and Kipling.
“Freezing rain will develop on Sunday night and then transition to heavy snow on Monday morning,” the warning said. “Accumulating freezing rain is possible along both the Trans-Canada Highway and Yellowhead Highway corridors overnight. Storm-total snowfall of 10 to 20 cm is expected.”
Environment Canada said areas including Carlyle, Bienfait, Carnduff and Stoughton were under special weather statements that suggested precipitation was on the way.
The weather service reminded drivers to be ready for changing road conditions and reduced visibility.
More information is available on the Environment Canada alerts page.