Saskatchewan communities will have to handle a few mroe days of extreem cold, amid a large drop of snow at the start of the week. (battlefordsNOW & meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

Artic setting

Cold temperatures continue following snowfall

Jan 5, 2022 | 2:55 PM

Extreme winter conditions are ahead for at least a few more days in northwest Saskatchewan.

After a small increase in warmth on Sunday, communities from Lloydminster to the Battlefords jumped back in levels of cold that came with alerts from Environment Canada. Over the next 48 hours, an extreme cold warning remains in place, with a high of -29 C this afternoon and expected overnight lows of around -36 C. Wind chills are expected to get as cold as -48 C, with speeds ranging from 15-20 km/h.

This coincides with a blanket of snow that came down to start the week. In Meadow Lake, it’s estimated that around five centimetres came down between Monday and Tuesday, while the Battlefords saw nearly 15 cm. This has resulted in communities like the Battlefords have had crews working throughout the day to smooth out main roadways working to mitigate against fraught travel conditions both within municipalities and on highways.

Meteorologist Terri Lang said it will be tough for anyone who didn’t get on shoveling duties immediately, given the plunge back into frigidity.

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“We’re in a slow slide back into that deep artic air,” she said. “We’ll see those extreme cold warnings hang around till [at least] Thursday or Friday.

Snow on a residential street in Battleford. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

Thankfully, a shift is expected on the weekend. Lang said a more westerly jet stream is coming in, which tends to bring about seasonal temperatures. As much as a 10 degree shift is expected between Sunday and Monday.

“We may get above seasonal temperatures by early next week, which would be nice,” Lang said. “Thirty year averages are around -11 C, so I don’t know if that will set in by Monday, but the indication is that we are going to get milder air.”

Tuesday is forecast to reach single digits in both Meadow Lake and the Battlefords.

Before the region gets to next week, there’s still a possibility of flurries, as much as 60 per cent in Meadow Lake on Friday and Saturday. However, Lang noted that this development doesn’t appear worrisome.

“It’s a very weak system, not a lot of snow on it, so I wouldn’t be too concerned about snow with that system,” she said. “I think everyone’s had enough snow.”

In managing the rest of the week, Lang stressed the need for vigilance in winter precautions. Among the most critical are dressing appropriately and having your extremities covered while outside, having emergency kits in the vehicle, communicating with friends and loved ones and frequently checking the Highway Hotline.

“There are some travel not recommended roads,” she said. “So proceed with caution.”

Delays on some city streets are expected throughout the region as snow removal crews go through their routes.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW