Many areas will have to dig out from more snow as an Alberta Clipper heads east into Saskatchewan. (File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Alberta Clipper

Alberta Clipper bringing snow, strong wind, difficult driving conditions

Jan 16, 2025 | 11:55 AM

Get ready for some more unsettled weather over the next few days.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several weather warnings across the province, including a snowfall warning for the northeast and northern areas, and a blowing snow advisory for North Battleford, Saskatoon, and west-central areas.

Meteorologist Danielle Desjardins told northeastNOW it’s all thanks to an Alberta Clipper making its way through Saskatchewan.

She said the bulk of the snowfall is going to fall in northern Saskatchewan, in an area including Buffalo Narrows, La Ronge, and Pelican Narrows. An updated weather warning from Environment Canada has seen the system shift south and now includes Prince Albert.

“Melfort is kind of on the southern fringe of the heavy snowfall,” said Desjardins. “We’re expecting anywhere between about 10 to 15 cm to fall over that region by…tomorrow morning.”

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The system will also be known for strong wind. Those areas under a blowing snow advisory could see wind gusts up to 90 km/h, while the northeast can expect gusts around 60 km/h at times.

“Could see some blowing snow with reduced visibilities, especially overnight tonight into tomorrow morning,” Desjardins said.

Travel conditions are expected to be miserable this afternoon into tomorrow morning, said Desjardins. Drivers will likely have to deal with blowing snow and reduced visibility, and Desjardins said icy conditions could also be an issue with the wet highways turning to icy patches.

“We’re expecting very poor travel conditions, especially starting this afternoon and overnight tonight.”

She recommends delaying travel plans if possible, or if you have to travel keep an eye on the forecast and the Highway Hotline.

Cold air will follow the system into the province, meaning we’re in for a frigid weekend. Desjardins said the cold weather will continue through Tuesday of next week and some overnight lows could be in the mid minus-30’s. Wind chills could hit –40 C or worse during the overnight hours on the weekend, and she expects to be issuing Extreme Cold warnings as the weekend approaches.

“The weekend could see some of the coldest temperatures of the season so far.”

The warm weather into a cold snap of a few days isn’t anything new this winter, as it seems that the yo-yo temperatures we’ve experienced continue.

“Anecdotally, that seems to be the scene this year. It’s just been a roller coaster, swinging from extremely mild – so well above normal for this time of year – to extremely cold,” said Desjardins. Despite the large temperature fluctuations, the average ends up right around normal, but Desjardins said that definitely doesn’t tell the full story.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com