Strong winds blowing snow across highways. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Joan Olson

Strong Winds bring in cooler temperatures

Jet stream change brings strong winds and cooler temperatures to Saskatchewan

Jan 20, 2021 | 1:09 PM

A low pressure system racing through the North has delivered heavy snow and is also sending strong winds through the southern part of the province.

Terri Lang with Environment Canada said the wind warnings affecting western and central Saskatchewan remained in effect for most of Wednesday morning. There were wind gusts up to 90 km/h but winds were expected to calm down to 40 to 60 km/h by the afternoon.

“Because there is snow on the ground and still some flurry activity around I think there is going to be some issues with blowing snow in open areas,” Lang said.

There were numerous bus cancellations Wednesday morning due to poor road conditions throughout the Prince Albert area. The Highway Hotline was reporting travel not recommended throughout parts of north central Saskatchewan including Highway 11 between Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

A change in the jet stream also means a change in the temperatures.

Final week

Raiders kick off final week of regular season with Pats rematch

25m ago

Middle Eastern Conflict

Anand says Canada's focus in Iran war is on unblocking Strait of Hormuz

2h ago

new opportunities

George Gordon First Nation excited for Bell Canada partnership on AI data centre

2h ago

Lang said it’s been very mild for the last number of weeks, so it’s going to feel quite cold as we descend into some cooler air.

“Average highs for this time of year are -13 C and overnight lows of -25 C. We have been nowhere near that so over the next few days we’ll cool down into the seasonal values and by the weekend we will be into the deeper cold. So, a little below seasonal averages but it will feel excessively cold because it been so mild for so long,” Lang said.

The jet stream is the lineator between the warm and cold air. Lang said it’s been to the North of us allowing for the milder conditions, but with the jet stream collapsing, we’ll start to feel the colder southern air.

“It’s a big overall weather pattern change for all of Western Canada,” she said.

—

Joan.Olson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow