Water Security Agency issues ‘high flow’ advisory amid rapid snowmelt

The risk of rapid snowmelt has prompted an advisory for much of central Saskatchewan including Tisdale, Hudson Bay and Yorkton.

Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency (WSA) has issued a high flow advisory for a large swath of central Saskatchewan as warm temperatures are sure to cause the rapid melting of recently fallen snow.

The advisory, which was issued on Friday, April 18, covers a large area from Buffalo Narrows in the northwest to southeastern areas around Yorkton.

Communities included in the advisory consist of Lloydminster, Meadow Lake, La Ronge, Prince Albert, the Battlefords, Watrous, Melfort, Nipawin, Tisdale, Hudson Bay and Yorkton.

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According to Environment Canada, the daily high in Yorkton is expected to reach 17 C on Tuesday.

The accelerated melt could cause river flows to increase quickly and reach higher levels than previously forecasted. This could lead to localized overland flooding and ice jamming.

Those in the affected areas are asked to use caution around bodies of water as conditions may change rapidly without notice.