Melting snow in Saskatchewan is creating icy conditions overnight for pedestrians and motorists. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW)

By battlefordsNOW and meadowlakeNOW Staff

Sheets of ice

Ice-covered roads slowing down motorists, pedestrians

Feb 10, 2022 | 6:21 PM

Drivers that woke up to what felt like a skating rink may have to contend with this hazard for at least one more day in Saskatchewan.

Light rain early Thursday morning in the Battlefords, Meadow Lake and other areas turned into ice, making sidewalks and city streets dangerously slippery. This comes after day time temperatures this week reached near record highs for the region, including 6 C this afternoon in North Battleford.

In the Meadow Lake region, sections of highways were icy enough that local RCMP were discouraging travel. Earlier this week, meteorologist Alysa Pederson for Environment Canada said driving conditions won’t be ideal.

“The roads in [cities] are a disaster, just because of the warm and melt,” she said. “Add in possible rain or snow with a temperature drop, this could be hazardous if you’re traveling.”

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A small risk of freezing rain is attached to a prediction of continued flurries in multiple areas. The Battlefords is set for an overnight low of -12 C and a high on Friday of -10 C. Meadow Lake should stay at -14 C from overnight into the afternoon, before cooling down to -19 C Friday evening.

Pederson said temperatures way above normal in B.C. and above normal in Alberta, promote a warm up in Saskatchewan again, with trends in other years leaning towards a cooler than normal spring afterwards. However, she said it’s unlikely that another significant storm will occur.

“Nothing this week and nothing next week is going to be comparable to the blizzard we had come through the area,” she said.

Pederson also noted it’s important to keep taking precautions until winter conditions dissipate.

Road clearing efforts dominate city works

The Battlefords have seen a number of issues pop up during snow removal efforts, including equipment breakdowns, while Meadow Lake is also fighting the conditions. Public Works Manager Mike Morrant told meadowlakeNOW this is the most snow he’s seen in some time, to the point where they gone over the planned budget.

“In the last few years, this is really unique,” he said. “This [amount] has been exceptional.”

Morrant added the crew was working on roads already by 5:30 a.m. Thursday morning and continued throughout the day.

“The rain added more work to everything and the roads were a lot sloppier,” he said.

(Kelly Bitner/meadowlakeNOW)

As they continue to work, Morrant noted operations are more smooth than they were last year. Since updating their snow removal policy in September and adding a snow blower to their equipment, crews have been able to clear snow out faster than when they could only use blades.

“It’s time consuming as we only have one blower, but it’s still faster than old way by loading with trucks,” Morrant said.

“We’re going to get together with the city manager soon and see if we can tweak our bylaws and continue to make things more efficient.”

Given the drop in temperature, Morrant said they will continue to manage road conditions as they develop and recommended residents take their own steps.

“You might want to salt in front of your house and sidewalks,” he said. “That could help prevent someone from falling.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW