Special Weather Statement issued in advance of snowfall

Environment Canada is forecasting a Good Friday blast of snowfall for much of Southern Saskatchewan.

A Special Weather Statement was issued by Environment Canada earlier this afternoon advising of the potential of six to 12 centimetres of snowfall on Friday. An Alberta Clipper is forecast to track into the Southwest starting tonight and spreading across the rest of southern Saskatchewan into Friday. The snow will be accompanied to strong northeast winds on Friday, with gusts from 50 to 60 kilometres per hour.

Environment Canada notes the heaviest snowfalls are expected generally south of the TransCanada Highway.

The snow and winds will result in reduced visibility, but conditions will improve as the system tracks east and south.

In the Southwest, the statement has been issued for the Swift Current – Herbert – Cabri – Kyle – Lucky Lake, the Leader – Gull Lake, plus the Shaunavon – Maple Creek – Val Marie – Cypress Hills forecast regions.

Following the snowfall, the Southwest is in for below seasonal temperatures over the next five days, as a ridge of Arctic high pressure will drop daytime highs to the -10 Celsius range and overnight lows down to -20 Celsius during Friday and Saturday.