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Cleanup continues in Saskatoon and area following record snowfall

Click to play video: 'Winter has come, to Saskatchewan'
Winter has come, to Saskatchewan
WATCH ABOVE: A massive snow storm in Saskatchewan has closed schools, shut down highways and resulted in a devastating halt to harvest. A century old snowfall record has been surpassed and up to half a metre of snow has fallen in some areas with more on the way. Peter Quinlan has more details – Oct 6, 2016

UPDATE: All snowfall warnings mentioned in this story have ended

A snowfall warning has ended in Saskatoon but remains in place in other parts of Saskatchewan as crews continue to cleanup from a record Oct. 5 snowfall.

WATCH: Early snowfall leaves Saskatoon residents feeling winter’s chill

Click to play video: 'Early snowfall leaves Saskatoon residents feeling winter’s chill'
Early snowfall leaves Saskatoon residents feeling winter’s chill

According to Environment Canada, 30 centimetres of snow had fallen in Saskatoon as of Thursday afternoon.

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At least 17 centimetres fell on Wednesday, unofficially breaking a century old record for that day, when 5.6 centimetres was recorded on Oct. 5, 2016.

Environment Canada stopped measuring snowfall in Saskatoon in 2007, meaning the record cannot officially be broken.

READ MORE: 100-year-old snowfall record surpassed in Saskatoon during winter blast

The major low pressure system that brought an early snowfall to many parts of the province is now weakening, with another two to four centimetres expected to fall before tapering off to a few flurries Thursday evening.

The agency said much of the northern grainbelt received five to 10 centimetres of snow overnight Wednesday.

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Total snowfall amounts from the storm are expected to range in the 20 to 30 centimetre range.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan snow bad news for some farmers

In Saskatoon, police said the overnight snowfall has left city streets very slippery and they are asking drivers to give themselves more time to get to their destination.

City officials said sanders and plows are focused on priority 1 streets and contractors to help with sidewalk snow clearing and for grader assistance.

“We did see more snow than we anticipated (Wednesday night), but throughout the mid morning the temperature came up which softened the ruts,” said City of Saskatoon director of roadways and operations, Brandon Harris.

They also said temperatures into the weekend will pose challenges as it could lead to more ice formation.

Saskatoon Light & Power dealt with power outages in three neighbourhoods. Power was knocked out in Nutana, Buena Vista and Exhibition at around 7 a.m. and restored by 9:30 a.m.

WATCH ABOVE: The cleanup continues following a record breaking snowfall in Saskatoon. Jacqueline Wilson reports.
Click to play video: 'Clean-up continues following record breaking snowfall in Saskatoon'
Clean-up continues following record breaking snowfall in Saskatoon

The city’s fall street sweeping program has been delayed and will now start on Oct. 17.

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“Our sweeping equipment isn’t built for picking up wet, dense matter. It’s really intended for light material like dry leaves,” Harris said.

Official are asking people to clear sewer grates of slush and leaves, which is causing drainage issues.

“We ask that if you come across a situation that can be easily unplugged, maybe there’s debris in the drain or some slushy ice that’s preventing it from draining, to grab a shovel and clear a path,” Harris said.

READ MORE: Flin Flon gets huge dumping of snow, more on the way

The Prairie Spirit School Division has cancelled all bus routes for Thursday due to the poor weather and road conditions, with the exception of Warman and Martensville in-town routes.

The Highway Hotline is reporting most highways in the province are snow and slush covered, with icy and slippery sections and travel not recommended on some highways.

RCMP said the eastbound lanes of Highway 1 were closed for several hours between Rush Lake and Herbert after a semi jackknifed. No injuries have been reported. The highway has since reopened.

For weather on the go download the Global News Skytracker weather app for iPhone, iPad or Android.

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