Blowing snow advisory issued for Saskatoon

WATCH: A blowing snow advisory is in effect for Saskatoon as the city is expected to receive about 15 centimetres of snow.

A blowing snow advisory is in effect for Saskatoon as the city is expected to receive about 15 centimetres of snow over the next 36 hours.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the advisory early Friday morning, saying falling snow combined with southeast winds up to 40 and gusting to 60 kilometres per hour will produce areas of near-zero visibility in blowing snow.

According to Environment Canada, conditions will begin to improve on Friday evening in the west and midday Saturday in eastern areas.

“Especially Sunday and into mid next week, expecting, those frigid temperatures to re-enter the prairies, but the one thing about this cool down is we’re not seeing any indication in the next week and a half or so of a massive warm up,” said Danielle Desjardins, ECCC meteorologist.

In a news release Friday afternoon, the City of Saskatoon said its crews are prepared for the weekend snow.

The city says if conditions warrant, it may declare a snow event, which would activate contractor graders to assist in clearing all priority streets within 72 hours.

“Crews will closely monitor road conditions and address snow and ice along priority streets and busy intersections. However, strong winds may blow sand and salt off treated surfaces, potentially leading to icy spots as temperatures drop,” the city said.

Blowing snow advisories are issued when winds are expected to create blowing snow giving poor visibility to 800 metres or less for at least three hours.