With Environment Canada issuing a weather storm watch for Saskatoon Wednesday and Thursday, the City’s winter maintenance operations, including road crews, are ready to adjust in response to mixed precipitation and high winds.

In addition, transit service will operate as regularly scheduled, Saskatoon Light and Power staff are prepared for any service interruptions due to any freezing and/or snow. Service alerts will be issued to customers if there are any power outages. Plus, Urban Forestry is prepared to help out with storm damaged trees with a 24-hour customer service centre phone line available after business hours. Following is the news release from the City of Saskatoon…

PSA

Road crews prepared for severe winds and a mix of rain and snow

For immediate release: January 12, 2021

TC21-1862

The City is preparing to adjust its winter maintenance operations in the coming days in response to a weather advisory issued for Saskatoon. Strong to severe winds are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday along with mixed precipitation that might include rain showers, freezing rain and snow.

If Saskatoon receives this weather, road crews will respond as follows:

• As usual, the initial response will focus on treating priority (highest traffic) streets and access to emergency services. Intersections, bridges and school zones are also high priority.
• Sanding and salting will be carried out as needed. Crews are prepared with 15 graders, 10 front plows with sanders, 4 underbelly plows, 20 sanders and 11 sidewalk plows and numerous other pieces of equipment such as loaders, dozers and snow blowers.
• Liquid de-icer will also be applied, which helps melt ice and keep sand and salt from blowing off roads.
• Snowplows and graders will be out to move snow off roadways if accumulation or drifting becomes an issue.
• City crews that are currently assigned to residential and priority street snow removal will be redirected as needed.

Saskatoon residents should note the following during this weather event:

• If possible, stay off the roads when poor conditions are forecast or underway.
• Drivers that do venture out should be prepared for icy roads, snow accumulation and reduced visibility due to blowing snow and drifting. A reminder to keep an eye out for snow equipment – stay at least 2-3 vehicle lengths behind and be prepared to stop quickly.
• Wet and blowing snow can cover traffic signals and road signs. Stay aware at intersections and, when safe to do so, covered traffic lights and road signs should be reported to the City’s 24/7 Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or customercare@saskatoon.ca.

Saskatoon Light & Power 

Freezing rain and snow may also affect electrical service. Saskatoon Light & Power staff are ready and prepared for any service interruptions and will deal with any issues as they arise. Service Alerts with regular updates will be issued if outages occur.

Transit  

Transit service will be operating as regularly scheduled. Customers may experience delays due to winter driving conditions. Transit service alerts, real-time bus locations, and arrivals are available on third party apps like Transit or Google Maps Transit on desktop.

Parks & Urban Forestry  

A combination of freezing rain, snow, and strong winds can result in tree branch failure.  To report storm damaged trees please call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) or the 24-hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476 (after hours and weekends). For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/treeinspections

For more information on the City’s winter operations visit saskatoon.ca/snow.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather send an email to SKstorm@canada.ca. On Twitter follow #skstorm