Swift Current Airport, Saskatchewan

Severe Weather Bulletin
issued by Environment Canada
at 12:13 PM CST Thursday 8 January 2009.
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Watches/warnings in effect for southern Saskatchewan...

Winter Storm Warning for:
=new= Assiniboia - Gravelbourg - Coronach
=new= Swift Current - Herbert - Cabri - Kyle - Lucky Lake
=new= Leader - Gull Lake
=new= Shaunavon - Maple Creek - Val Marie - Cypress Hills.

      Heavy snow or freezing rain today and this evening.

      This is a warning that dangerous winter weather conditions are
      imminent or occurring in these regions.  Monitor weather
      conditions...listen for updated statements.

Snowfall warning for:
      City of Regina
      Fort Qu'appelle - Indian Head - Lumsden - Pilot Butte
      Carlyle - Oxbow - Carnduff - Bienfait - Stoughton
      Estevan - Weyburn - Radville - Milestone
      Moose Jaw - Pense - Central Butte - Craik.

      Ten to 20 cm of snow over parts of southern Saskatchewan.

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Watches/warnings ended for southern Saskatchewan...

Snowfall warning changed to Winter Storm Warning for:
      Assiniboia - Gravelbourg - Coronach
      Swift Current - Herbert - Cabri - Kyle - Lucky Lake
      Leader - Gull Lake
      Shaunavon - Maple Creek - Val Marie - Cypress Hills.

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==Discussion==
the latest low pressure system tracking from British Columbia into
Montana will spread heavy snow, as well as some freezing rain or
blowing snow throughout southernmost Saskatchewan today and tonight.

At midday precipitation had moved into southwestern
Saskatchewan and will continue spreading towards the Manitoba border
getting to southeastern Saskatchewan later this afternoon.
Most areas will see 10 to 15 cm of snow in total, with local total
accumulations of 20 possible.  This band of heavy snowfall will move
out of Saskatchewan tonight.

Freezing rain has also been reported in the Swift Current area and
portions of southwestern Saskatchewan.  Saskatchewan highways is
reporting that Highway 4 from Swift Current to the international
border is ice covered.  The threat of freezing rain will remain until
late this afternoon or early this evening.  Meanwhile over the most
extreme southwestern sections of Saskatchewan temperatures will move
above freezing today and as a result get little snow accumulation.

Gusty southeast winds ahead of this system will give some blowing
snow.  This blowing snow coupled with the heavy falling snow will
give low visibilities which may pose a hazard to travellers.
Areas in the wascana basin including Regina, Weyburn, and Estevan
should expect near blizzard conditions late this afternoon and this
evening.  Some blowing snow will also occur in the wake of this
system tonight as cold northwest winds usher in a return to frigid
temperatures for the remainder of the week.

The latest Road conditions may be obtained at the Saskatchewan
highways website: http://roadinfo.Telenium.CA/sk/map/map17.Html.

Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details.

End