(file photo/CKOM News Staff)

By CKOM News Staff

Wind warnings issued across Saskatchewan; some highways closed

Jan 13, 2021 | 11:19 AM

Most of Saskatchewan no longer falls under an Environment Canada warning for winter storm weather.

Areas that could still experience freezing rain, heavy snow and blowing snow include those around Hudson Bay, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Melfort, Pelican Narrows, Prince Albert, and the Battlefords.

However, all other regions to the south are under a wind warning, including Regina and Saskatoon.

Snow is a possibility. If it falls, it could result in poor visibility.

“The high winds are a certainty across the province. We’re looking at wind gusts up to 110 kilometres an hour developing this afternoon in the southwest and expanding eastward throughout the day,” said meteorologist Jason Knight on Wednesday morning.

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Those wind speeds could pose a risk to people and property.

“We’re going to be worried about taking shingles off, loose objects blowing about. Drivers on the road, trucks could be blown over and of course power lines could be affected with all of this too,” Knight said.

Knight expects a few hours of “very nasty conditions” but “easing rapidly overnight.”

“By Thursday, we’ll still be looking at blustery conditions and light snow ongoing,” he said.

Freezing rain was causing problems in some areas of the province Wednesday morning.

At around 10:30 a.m., the Highway Hotline said highways in the St. Walburg area had been closed due to icy conditions.

Those included Highway 3 west to the Alberta border, Highway 26 north to Loon Lake and south towards the intersection with Highway 4, Highway 21 south to the intersection of Highway 303, and Highway 303 through Turtleford and east to Glaslyn.

The Highway Hotline also issued “travel not recommended” advisories for the Lloydminster, North Battleford and Meadow Lake areas due to ice-covered highways.

Meanwhile, Highway 7 was closed at Laura just after 10:30 a.m., due to a collision. Police officers are on the scene, but there isn’t a local detour in place. Drivers are urged to choose an alternate route.

Laura is about 13 kilometres southwest of Delisle.