SASKATOON – The cold, snow and wind is back and there was no easing into it. On Wednesday, many parts of Saskatchewan were hit hard as winter returned with a vengeance.
We all knew it was coming after a balmy autumn but perhaps not to this degree.
READ MORE: With winter coming, here’s a safety refresher for Sask. motorists
Wicked weather accompanied with strong winds, freezing cold rain along with wet snow made for commuter chaos as roads turned into sheets of ice and sidewalks slicked over.
“Trying to get from the bus terminal this morning, it was late so I kind of had to run/walk, it was pretty overwhelming.”
Winds whipped power lines and there were scores of collisions both within city limits and out. For those on the front line cleaning up, it was slow going.
“It’s slippery, it’s slippery other than that you slow down.”
It’s clear Mother Nature’s a challenge but city crews say they were prepared for anything.
“Sanding operations began as soon as the snowflakes started hitting the ground so basically we sanding operations out just around 3:30, four o’clock in the morning when the snow was first starting,” said Pat Hyde, director of public works for the City of Saskatoon.
“We’ve continued through the day. We’ve had 23 sanders out today, we’ll have a minimum of 19 sanders out tonight, might be able to muster a few more on that and we’ll just keep monitoring things as we go and do the best we can.”
Another challenge Hyde noted were traffic signals caked with snow and ice.
“With the high winds that we’re sustaining right now, it’s just not safe for crews to go up and clear those intersections where the traffic lights are obscured,” added Hyde.
“We advised motorists when they come to an intersection like that, treat like a four-way stop sign.”
Challenging intersections by mid-afternoon on Tuesday included:
- Circle Drive and Warman Road
- 2nd Avenue and 23rd Street
- Idylwyld Drive and 36th Street
- Idylwyld Drive and 37th Street
The Saskatoon Police Service responded to more than a dozen collisions, with only minor injuries to report.
“We’re just reminding people slow down, take a little time to get where you’re going and just relax a little bit,” said Cst. Bill Bergeron.
As for the first official day of winter, that’s not for another several weeks. This year, it falls on Dec. 22.
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