'Long way from the finish line': Sask. residents weigh in on sudden blast of wintry weather
It’s no surprise in Saskatchewan that sometimes winter can extend right into spring —and that was the reality for many across the province when they woke up Wednesday morning.
Most are taking this last shot of winter in stride, while farmers welcome the moisture.
Those CTV News spoke to didn’t mind the abrupt return to winter, like Saskatoon resident Vicky Xil.
“I think it’s nice to have a little bit of snow, because we had a warm winter this year so snow I feel like it’s good,” she said.
Her small daughter, however, didn’t feel quite as certain.
“I like it a little bit, but it’s pretty cold,” she said.
Tobin Kirkness was out in shorts Wednesday afternoon in downtown Saskatoon and forgot his jacket at home, which he regretted, but he wasn’t too concerned about the snow.
“It will be gone in three days,” he said.
But with snow falling overnight and into Wednesday, Saskatchewan highways were in less than ideal shape, with travel advisories updating throughout the day due to wet, drifting snow and poor visibility.
Shawn Colborn has a mixed farm near Delisle with 12,000 acres of grains, pulse crops and oil seeds, as well as cattle and chickens — so he sees the snow from a different perspective.
“It’s definitely positive, but a long way from the finish line. We’re going into this year excessively dry, and this will at least help us get this crop started,” Colborn said.
After four years of drought, he admits this snow won’t be enough, and they’re counting on a lot of rain in spring and summer.
“Risk management tools that we have are adequate but they’re not designed for another year or two of drought, so it’s definitely top of mind, the weather.”
Saskatchwan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) reports very little rain or snow fell in the southwest part of the province and in the southeast, it stopped in the early afternoon.
Sean Osmar with the agency tells CTV News,
“The biggest potential remains in the areas north of Yorkton and Nipawin where runoff had only recently started and there was already a healthy snowpack before additional snows fell. Further north where the snowfall is currently heaviest will likely see the biggest impact,” said WSA spokesperson Sean Osmar.
Depending on how the temperatures warm up later this week and next, Osmar expects to have a better picture of runoff. If there’s a rapid warming then we can expect quicker runoff into streams, rivers, and lakes. If the warmup is slower than typical, that water would absorb into the soil.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.