Vehicles move slowly along snow-covered streets in Calgary on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, as winter conditions affected traffic. CTV
A powerful winter storm continues to move across the Prairies. Heavy snow and strong winds hit Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Bitter cold follows close behind. Officials warn conditions may worsen quickly.
Weather officials say northwestern Alberta faced the earliest impact. Snow bands stretched from Grande Prairie toward Edmonton. Conditions slowly eased later Wednesday. The storm then pushed eastward.
Some areas may receive up to 30 centimetres of snow. Blowing snow reduces visibility across highways. Travel remains risky in many regions.
Strong Winds Create Dangerous Conditions
High winds add to the danger. Regina and Saskatoon could see gusts near 110 kilometres an hour. These winds may create whiteout conditions. Drivers may struggle to see ahead.
Southern Manitoba expects another round of snow tonight. Forecasts call for 10 to 20 centimetres. Freezing rain may also fall. Wind gusts could approach 90 kilometres an hour.
Officials warn roads may turn icy quickly. Power outages remain possible in some areas.
School Activities Cancelled in Saskatchewan
Worsening weather forced early closures in southern Saskatchewan. The Regina Public School Board announced cancellations Wednesday afternoon. All after-school programs and activities stopped.
Field trips and sports events also ended. Schools closed for the evening after classes ended. Community events may continue at organizer discretion.
The board expects normal operations Thursday morning. Families will receive updates if plans change.
Warnings Issued Across the Region
Freezing rain and blizzard warnings remain in effect near Regina. Snow and blowing snow may continue into evening hours. Another five centimetres may fall overnight.
Wind chills could feel like –33 degrees. City crews prepared for the early cold blast. This system arrived earlier than usual for December.
Daryl Massier oversees road operations in Regina. He explained the challenge crews face.
“it’s a lot more ice control than it would be on a regular middle-of-December day when we’d normally just be getting snow. So, it’s just more of a shift to trying to cope with the conditions”
Crews plan around-the-clock work.
“once it deteriorates enough and the snow starts to fall, we’ll go into what we call storm mode.”
Emergency Officials Urge Caution
Emergency officials urge residents to avoid travel. Conditions may change rapidly. Visibility could drop without warning.
Pamela Goulden-McLeod leads emergency management in Saskatoon. She warned residents early.
“Right now it’s just starting, but by the end of the workday we’re going to see a lot more snow,” she said.
She urged people to remain home.
“Ideally, we are asking people to stay home tonight just to be safe. Check the highway hotlines and only go out if it’s urgent.”
She stressed community support matters.
“The big thing is we’re really good at checking in on our neighbours and working together as a community,” Goulden-McLeod said.
She added a final warning.
“Please don’t head out onto the highways tonight. Make sure your car is gassed up, your phone is charged, and you have warm clothes on.”
She warned visibility may drop to near zero.
“We will see blizzard-like conditions that will bring visibility to near zero at some points,” she said. “Everyone is ready to go.”
Extreme Cold Expected
Northern areas face extreme cold through Thursday. Wind chills may reach –45 degrees. Officials advise preparation and caution across all provinces.
