SASKATCHEWAN — Update Thursday 5:50 p.m.: Mother Nature seems to be throwing everything at Saskatchewan this week.
Most of the southern part of Saskatchewan is still under a wind alert, with utility outages happening, winds damaging trees, and high-sided vehicles at risk of overturning in the wind.
This area extends south from a diagonal line from Macklin to Esterhazy and is expected to see westerly winds of 70 km/h with gusts as high as 110 km/h.
Saskatchewan RCMP said Thursday afternoon that extreme winds are overturning semis and trailers in the southern parts of the province. They have received reports of overturned semis and trailers in the following areas:
- Kalium Road, near Belle Plaine
- near Township Road 184 and the intersection of Highway #6, north of Regina
- Highway #1, west of Webb
Saskatchewan RCMP are also responding to a two-vehicle collision involving a semi on Highway 39, approximately six kilometres south of Highway 1 near Moose Jaw.
Saskatchewan RCMP remain on the scenes of these incidents. Injuries are unknown at this time. If you are travelling in these areas, motorists should expect delays and detours. Please slow down and follow the instructions of emergency personnel on scene.
In the far south, there are is also an alert for dust storms with reduced visibility occurring.
Up north, the Meadow Lake and La Ronge areas are under a rainfall alert.
In the far northeast, around Wollaston Lake and north, there is a freezing rain alert, that should hopefully end Thursday evening.
In the forecast for the weekend, the highs aren't going to be very high, and many areas could see snowflakes — or thunderstorms, or both — over the next three days.
Update: The special weather statement for much of the province has been lifted, and has been replaced by an orange-level wind warning in many areas.
Environment Canada issued the alert in the afternoon of May 13 for the cities of Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw, and communities in 177 RMs.
"A strong low-pressure system will develop over the next day in the Prairies, and will sit near Saskatoon by Thursday afternoon [May 14]. South of this low, very strong westerly winds are expected for most of the day. In addition to strong winds, drier areas may see restricted visibility in blowing dust," the warning states.
Winds of 70 kilometres per hour are expected, Environment Canada said. Gusts are forecasted to reach 110 kilometres per hour.
Utility outages are likely, according to Environment Canada. Driving conditions will likely be very difficult. High-sided vehicles could be overturned by the wind. Damage to some critical infrastructure is possible.
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Original report:
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for much of the province due to what it calls a "major spring storm".
According to the advisory, issued in the afternoon of May 12, widespread severe winds are poised to affect southern and central Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and well over 100 RMs are covered.
The advisory says southerly winds will gust to 80 kilometres per hour, followed by widespread westerly winds of 70 km/h. Sustained gusts of up to 110 km/h are expected.
An intense low-pressure system will develop in Alberta and move to Saskatchewan. The winds are expected to begin in southwest Saskatchewan in the evening of May 13 and expand to the remainder of southern and central Saskatchewan by the morning of May 14. The most intense winds are anticipated through the day on May 14. Wind gusts are expected to diminish below 90 km/h by the evening of May 14, but will remain strong the following day.
"Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is likely. Prepare for some disruptions to transportation, services and utilities. Drier areas may see visibility reductions in blowing dust. Driving conditions will likely be very difficult. High-sided vehicles could be overturned by the wind. Secure loose objects. If outside, protect yourself from flying or falling debris," the advisory states.
In addition to the winds, Environment Canada said potentially significant rain will fall over southwest and west-central areas of the province, with 20-40 millimetres of precipitation expected by May 15. For the southeast and east-central areas, lesser amounts are expected, but showers and thunderstorms may bring locally heavy rainfall.
SaskToday will have updates as they become available.
