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March begins with more snow

Mar 5, 2018 | 11:12 AM

Saskatchewan residents may need a bigger shovel.

Some areas of the province received 15 to 25 cm of snow over a 12-hour period Sunday night. That’s in addition to all the snow that fell overnight Friday. According to Environment Canada, the areas of the province that were hit the hardest include Yorkton, Esteven, Carlyle, Moose Jaw, and Hudson Bay. 

Meteorologist John Paul Cragg said residents shouldn’t put away their snow shovels quite yet.

“East-Central and southeast Saskatchewan could still get 10-15 cm of snow so it’s not done,” he said.

Cragg said while the snow will continue to fall until Tuesday, the heavier stuff should taper off Monday afternoon.

Provincial highway crews were on the plows early this morning. Steve Shaheen with the Ministry of Highways said this winter created some challenging conditions.

“East of Prince Albert there’s still some travel not recommended in the Tisdale-Hudson Bay regions and conditions are gradually improving but with the impending storm coming in, those conditions can change rapidly,” he said.

As of noon Monday, Highway Hotline reported snow drifts and reduced visibility on most highways in the Prince Albert and Melfort areas, as well as around Hudson Bay.

Shaheen said snowplows will tackle the priority highways first which are ones that average a minimum of 1,500 vehicles a day, and will then move to the lesser used highways.

“Crews are out before, during and after any snowfall and they’ll be working around the clock as much as they can,” Shaheen said.

Shaheen reminded drivers, who come across a working provincial snowplow, to treat it like any other emergency vehicle and slow to 60 km/hr.  All travelers are encouraged to check the Highway Hotline before venturing out.

 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell