Heavy snow, gusty winds, reduced visibility: much of Saskatchewan will be experiencing severe weather beginning Saturday, with the worst forecasted to hit on Sunday.
“March is truly coming in like a lion this year. We already have winter storm watches and weather advisories in place,” says Supt. Grant St. Germaine, the officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Traffic Services. “We’ve been warned the weather – and thus the roads – are likely to be poor this weekend. We remind Saskatchewan residents to plan ahead. If you can delay travel this weekend, do so. If you must travel, remember to check the weather forecast and road conditions along your route before you depart.”
You can find information on road conditions and track which roads have been plowed, salted, and/or sanded within the last two hours at hotline.gov.sk.ca/map.
If you are driving this weekend, consider the following safety tips:
- Scrape all the ice off your windows before driving – if you can’t see, you can’t drive safely!
- Remove all snow from your vehicle, including from your headlights, taillights and roof.
- Slow down on slippery or snowy roads.
- Be gentle and smooth when you accelerate, brake or steer.
- Using cruise control on icy or snowy roads can be dangerous! If you skid, your vehicle will accelerate and rapidly spin its wheels as it tries to maintain a constant speed.
- Be prepared for anything: consider stocking your vehicle with extra warm clothes, candles, matches, non-perishable snacks, a snow shovel, traction mats, booster cables and a tow rope or chain.
- If you become stranded on the highway, do not leave your vehicle! Turn on your vehicle periodically to warm up, but try to conserve fuel. Make sure your tailpipe remains clear of ice and snow, or carbon monoxide could potentially seep into your vehicle.
