Battlefords and Meadow Lake are experiencing the first major snow event of the season. Snow should start to ease up by Thursday morning. (Staff photo/battlefordsNOW).

By Ian Roach

SNOW SAFETY

WPD Ambulance offers some safety suggestions for the first snow of the year

Nov 2, 2022 | 4:00 PM

The Battlefords, Meadow Lake, and a large swathe of Saskatchewan east of the area are experiencing the first taste of winter for the season. By the time the snow event starts to end Thursday morning, some areas could see upwards of 30 cm of snow.

With the first snow of the year, WPD Ambulance is reminding people to be safe. After the prolonged summer weather, WPD Operations Manager Dane Cleenwerck says many of us have to remember how to drive in winter conditions.

“As soon as the first snowfall hits the ground, we often see a little bit of shaky driving. People sometimes need to address their mindset. Of how they’re out there on the roads. To slow it down.”

With lots of rural travel in the area, Cleenwerck says drivers should be prepared to look after themselves if they suffer a breakdown. “Have an emergency kit in your vehicles. Extra clothes, some snacks, maybe a blanket. We sometimes encounter weird car troubles, and it’s important we’re able to look after ourselves in that cold weather until help arrives.”

It’s not just driving on the roads that may present a challenge with the first snow of the year. Cleenwwerck says paramedics see an uptick in injuries that can be attributed to people shoveling or removing snow.

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He adds some people over-exert themselves with the first snow event and that could trigger a cardiac event. One of the possible solutions Cleenwerck says is to remember many of us are no longer 20 years old.

“Number one, going out there wearing the right appropriate clothes and then also not overexerting yourselves. The snow takes a little time to move and everything is done slowly and steadily. So, we like to tell the guys just to take it slow and realize your limitations.”

The current snow event should start to ease Thursday morning. More snow is in the forecast for Meadow Lake on Saturday. Battlefords is forecast to receive some flurries overnight Friday before experiencing a cloudy weekend.