High Noon Optimist Park. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Joan Olson

in Central and Southern Saskatchewan

A special weather alert from Environment Canada is in effect for most of the province

Jan 12, 2021 | 1:31 PM

A clipper system crossing Saskatchewan Wednesday will result in high winds of 60 to 80 km per hour across the southern half of the province.

Those strong winds will expand eastward on Thursday. Severe wind gusts up to 100 km/h are possible, likely on Wednesday afternoon or evening although Environment Canada said the exact timing and location remains unclear because the track of the system is evolving.

Meteorologist Terri Lang said the Prince Albert area can expect freezing rain Wednesday morning followed by snowfall in the afternoon.

“The wind will really come up, especially in the late evening. It will get really messy with falling snow and winds as strong as they are through Thursday. Travel anywhere through central and southeastern Saskatchewan is going to be really tricky,” Lang said.

Even with the freezing rain, snow and high winds, Lang said temperatures are still expected to stay unseasonably mild. The average for this time of year is usually -13 C for the daytime highs. Overnight lows sit at -25 C.

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“We haven’t been anywhere close to those average values,” Lang said.

So far, weather models that indicated a cold and snowy winter have been wrong. Lang admits it’s not a clear science when it comes to long range weather forecasting. Temperatures this week are expected to stay between -2 C and -9 C.

“The jet stream is well to the North of the P.A. area, and to most of Saskatchewan. And the jet stream is the lineator between the warm air to the South and the cold air to the North. It’s parked itself to the North – just because the global patterns are driving it that way – and that’s why we’re continuing to see this ongoing warm weather.”

Lang added forecasts are showing temperatures will gradually cool off but only toward seasonal values.

As for the clipper making its way into the province, Lang encouraged travellers to be on their toes Wednesday night into Thursday and to check the Highway Hotline before heading out.

—

Joan.Olson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow