'Significant spring storm' on the way for southern Saskatchewan: Environment Canada

It might be spring, but it could soon look a lot like winter in southern Saskatchewan.

A "significant spring storm" is set to move in on Tuesday, according to a special weather statement issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Monday morning.

"It's intended as an early heads up that there's a big system coming," said meteorologist Kyle Fougere of the initial warning, noting that the weather alerts were anticipated to quickly change.

And change they did. By Monday afternoon, that statement had been removed, leaving Regina and most areas east and south of the city under a winter storm watch.

"Our weather guidance is indicating those will be the worst-hit areas — the heaviest amounts of snow, strongest winds and probably the most impact," said warning preparedness meteorologist Terri Lang after the alerts changed.

Lang emphasized that for regions around the fringes of those watches — including near Swift Current and Saskatoon — snow and wind still could be in the forecast, just not to the same extreme.

The storm is set to start off as rain on Tuesday afternoon before turning to flurries overnight, Fougere said. The heaviest snowfall is forecast for early Wednesday morning, with between 10 and 25 centimetres expected in most southern areas.

"The system is coming from the northern United States and it's going to push into extreme southeastern Saskatchewan and into Manitoba, spreading that snowfall," Fougere said.

"It's a fairly common occurrence in the spring, but this one is quite potent for one of these storms."

Fougere said that heavy snowfall and strong wind gusts are expected to create poor driving conditions, especially on Wednesday and Thursday.

"If you do have travel plans on those days, if possible, move it to another day — that would likely be the best scenario. If you do have to travel, definitely pay attention to the quickly changing conditions," he advised drivers.

Fougere said the Colorado low is expected to depart the province by late Thursday, leaving behind a cooler Friday.

Lang noted that much of Saskatchewan can expect to see a slow melt, with the long-range forecast showing temperatures returning to normal by early next week.

Farmers across Saskatchewan are keeping a close eye on the weather, as calving season wraps up and seeding preparation is underway.