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The road closure on Highway 39 from the U.S. border to Estevan road closure was removed at 12:30 p.m., but travel is still not recommended along that route.
As of 2:3o p.m., the recommendation for no travel have been removed for Assiniboia Highway 2 (Rockglen to Assiniboia) and Morse Highway 363 (Shamrock to Hodgeville).
As of 3:30 p.m., the hotline did not recommend travel on Highway 1 between Wolseley to Balgonie.
Travel is still not recommended on Highway 2 from Assiniboia to 15 Wing Base Access, but the advisories against travel were removed for Highway 18 (between Highway 6 and Highway 36), Highway 34 (from U.S. Border to Grid 705), Highway 35 (from Weyburn to the junction with Highway 36), Highway 28 (from Weyburn to the junction with Highway 13), Highway 363 (Moose Jaw to Old Wives), and Highway 19 (between Highway 1 and Highway 363).
Parts of Saskatchewan were being hit by freezing rain, strong winds and a dump of snow, creating difficult driving conditions and leaving some highways closed.
Environment Canada issued a range of weather warnings across southern and central Saskatchewan early on Tuesday morning, as a blast of winter weather arrives in the province.
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“It’s just a mess, unfortunately, with the system,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Keane Kokolsky.
Kokolsky said the freezing rain warning stretches from the Outlook area down through Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle, Weyburn, Carlyle and Estevan. The freezing rain started in Regina early on Tuesday morning, and is expected to last until the afternoon.
The meteorologist said his main concern is the highway conditions.
Large areas of Saskatchewan were covered by winter weather warnings from Environment Canada on Tuesday morning. (Environment Canada)
“I think the highways could become fairly slick this afternoon,” he said.
“I just advise people to be careful with traveling, slow down if you need to, or just avoid travel to that area until the system passes.”
A flash freezing warning, meanwhile, had been issued in the southwest corner of the province, including areas around Swift Current, Maple Creek, Climax and Lake Diefenbaker.
Kokolsky said temperatures are set to fall from above freezing early on Tuesday morning to below freezing by the afternoon, creating icy conditions.
A wind warning is also in effect in the southwest corner of the province, covering areas around Eastend, Climax and Maple Creek. Wind gusts are set to reach 90 km/h on Tuesday morning.
A wind warning was also issued by Environment Canada in the far southeast corner of the province, covering areas around Estevan, Weyburn and Carnduff, with wind gusts up to 90 km/h expected on Tuesday afternoon.
“I don’t suspect there will be really any damage with 90 km/h winds,” Kokolsky said.
“I think you see more damage with some stronger wind events, like 110 km/h plus, but it depends on the structure and how secure some of these loose objects are, like shingles on roofs.”
Meanwhile, a snowfall warning is in effect for south-central Saskatchewan, including areas around Hudson Bay, Yorkton, Kamsack, Melville, Esterhazy and Moosomin.
Kokolsky said 10 to 20 centimetres could fall by Wednesday morning.
The latest updates on the weather alerts can be found on Environment Canada’s website.
Highways closed around Estevan due to icy conditions
Highways surrounding Estevan were closed on Tuesday morning due to icy conditions, while travel was not recommended on a number of other routes. (Saskatchewan Highway Hotline)
The Saskatchewan RCMP said officers have responded to “multiple collisions in the Estevan and Weyburn area” on Tuesday, and asked drivers to use extra caution and consider postponing travel plans.
“Before travelling, check the weather and road conditions along your route,” the RCMP said in a statement.
“If poor weather or road conditions exist or are forecasted, consider delaying travel if possible. If travel is necessary, stay on roads that have recently received road maintenance.”
The RCMP also asked the public to refrain from calling 9-1-1 for road condition updates.
“Calling 911 must be reserved for emergencies and crimes in progress, and using it in non-emergent situations could prevent someone with a life-threatening emergency from getting help,” the Mounties said.
The latest updates on highway closures and conditions can be found on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.
City of Saskatoon says road crews ready for snowfall
The City of Saskatoon says its road crews will be sanding and salting the roads throughout the day on Tuesday, while plows and graders will be working to clear snow from priority routes.
The city said it is expecting “up to five centimetres of snowfall throughout the day, tapering off in the evening,” and noted that tricky driving conditions are expected.
“Once the snowfall ends the City will determine if contractor crews need to join City crews to assist with grading and plowing of priority streets,” the city said in a statement.
“Snow maintenance equipment will remain active until priority routes are graded. Drivers are asked to watch for blue and amber flashing lights on road maintenance equipment and give operators the room they need to work safely.”
Progress on the work can be tracked through the city’s priority street snow grading map.
