Expected snowfall reaching up to 40 cm as heavy-hitting storm rolls into Sask.

A powerful snowstorm has begun its sweep through Saskatchewan, with expected snowfall totals reaching up to 40 centimetres, accompanied by high winds.

Lloydminster and Meadow Lake are currently getting the full extent of the low pressure system coming through from Alberta, which continues to develop as it crosses the border.

Terri Lang, meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the storm could cause significant damage.

“It's really getting itself wound up through Alberta and has spread quite heavy snow through the areas,” Lang said.

“Snow will spread into most regions of the province as the day progresses, and we've got those really strong winds kicking in. The recipe is for quite messy conditions.”

More than half of the province is under orange and yellow weather alerts for heavy snowfall and wind. As of 4:45 p.m. CST, highways north of Lloydminster and North Battleford are not recommended for travel, along with stretches of Highways 2 and 6 east of Saskatoon, the Regina Bypass, and highways near Moose Jaw and Swift Current.

Humboldt RCMP put out a release saying the Highway 6 area between Watson and Raymore was particularly treacherous, with reports of vehicles in the ditch and a semi across the highway. Near-zero visibility and overall poor conditions were described in the statement.

RCMP also said Highway 20 between Humboldt and Lanigan is open after a brief closure earlier in the day, but conditions remain very poor.

“Once we go from a yellow up into an orange, that's saying we're expecting lots of impacts to happen, certainly with the roads, with municipalities trying to deal with heavy snowfall amounts, blowing snow, possibility of power outages, all those things,” Lang said.

Varying amounts of precipitation are coming for the whole province, but Lang said the southeast may even get some freezing rain later on. High winds gusting up to 70 km/h will accompany that, creating very challenging conditions for travel.

“The crux of this thing is that it's developing as the day goes through,” Lang said. “Saskatoon and Regina are just kind of on that line of the heavier snow, so 15 centimeters of snow probably for either city. But because cities and towns tend to be snow traps, those urban areas tend to get impacted more.”

Lang said she expects the skies to begin calming gradually into the afternoon on Wednesday. 

“People should plan accordingly, if they're heading out onto the highways. Check the Highway Hotline, because maybe it looks nice out the window right now, but where you're going you might not be."

Saskatchewan’s three largest cities are preparing for the significant snowfall, with crews ready to respond as conditions worsen.