Road conditions in south central Saskatchewan improved by January 10, as a storm rolling through Moose Jaw shifted in an eastward direction. Earlier on January 8, areas of southern Saskatchewan were managing blizzard-like conditions.
However, high winds, snow and low temperatures were still forecasted for south central Saskatchewan from January 12-17. Colder, Siberian-like weather patterns were also predicted on Wednesday, January 15, where the mercury threatened to descend to -35. These extra-frosty conditions were expected to remain until January 21, when the weather would hopefully moderate to seasonal temperatures ranging from -5 to -12.
On January 8, two school buses were cancelled in the Prairie South School Division, including Rockglen number 3 and Lindale number 10. There were also flight delays across the prairies. The storm, which mostly touched areas north and east of Assiniboia on January 8, had nevertheless affected the dissolution of a scheduled hockey game between the Junior Rebels and Regina’s Silver Foxes at Assiniboia’s Civic Centre Arena.
Whenever the temperature plummets to -30 and below, SGI recommends motorists to pack a safety kit in their trunks. The kit should contain foods capable of freezing, sleeping bags, warm clothing, a tow chain, candles, matches, a snow shovel, traction mats and booster cables. Gas line antifreeze is another great addition for winter safety driving kits. Gas line antifreeze dries the moisture in fuel tanks and lines. Gas line antifreeze also stops lines from freezing and assists with cold weather vehicle ignitions.
If anyone is trapped on a rural motorway in frozen temperatures, they should put on warm clothes immediately. Stranded motorists should also quickly open and close the vehicle’s windows to get fresh air and periodically run the engine to stay warm.
