The Battlefords and Meadow Lake experienced some snowfall on the weekend. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

wet and slippery

Drivers in NB and ML asked to watch roads with winter weather here

Oct 30, 2023 | 5:34 PM

Drivers in the Battlefords and Meadow Lake area were walloped with a snowstorm Saturday that was reported to have sent some vehicles into the ditch off Highway 16.

Terri Lang, meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the conditions can make it difficult for motorists.

“There certainly was some snow flurry activity. With the temperatures always hovering right near freezing during the day, the snow accumulates, or melts a little bit,” she said. “Overnight the temperatures dive, and then it freezes. It really does create some really sketchy driving conditions, especially when that temperature is right around freezing.”

Lang notes the process of freezing, then melting and re-freezing can make the roads a little dicey for drivers in spots. That can also result in black ice, especially on untreated highways.

Meadow Lake didn’t receive as much snow as the Battlefords area saw.

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“There was not too much accumulation, just that really annoying melting and freezing,” Lang said.

Looking ahead, people can expect similar conditions temperature-wise.

“Tomorrow [Tuesday] it might sneak above that freezing mark. Then, Wednesday it will be trying to [do the same],” she said. “That freeze-thaw cycle is really a bit of a pain.”

The good news is there is nothing on the horizon in terms of another snowfall for a bit.

“After a few days with people driving on the roads, the precipitation should start to evaporate,” Lang said. “Then, [the roads] should start to dry out.”

She adds there is a system coming through on Thursday, but it looks like it will dive south instead.

“I don’t think there will be anything [snowfall happening] north of Highway 16,” Lang said.

Winter driving

SGI Spokesperson Tyler McMurchy notes people should always follow safe driving habits to take them through the winter season.

“If you’re heading out on the highway, don’t use cruise control because icy sections on otherwise dry surfaces can cause your wheels to spin. That will compromise the control you have of your vehicle and cause you to be at greater risk of a collision,” he said.

Drivers should also look for areas of traction on the road, so they have greater stability on their route.

“If the lane that you’re in, if the tracks that have been formed by other vehicles are particularly icy, moving over a few inches either way might help you find some snow or dirt that provides you additional traction,” McMurchy said.

For current road conditions, visit the Highway Hotline.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow