Moose Jaw residents may not want to put those snow shovels away quite yet, as another blast of winter is expected to hit the region later this week.  

Environment and Climate Change Canada is tracking a spring weather system that could make a mess of the region, potentially bringing 15 to 20 centimetres of snow.  

“It’s going to cover a lot of territory,” says Meteorologist Terri Lang. “There’s going to be a lot of wet snow with it. It’s a tricky one because the temperatures are going to be close to freezing and trying to figure out amounts is going to be tough. We will also have some blowing snow associated with it. It’s a bit of a mess.” 

Rain is also expected to accompany the storm, which could cause issues and concerns for areas of the province that are battling flood-like conditions.  

On Sunday evening, Environment Canada issued a Special Weather Statement which was turned into a winter storm watch for Moose Jaw and the surrounding areas in preparation for this storm.  

Lang says that the system could start sweeping through Moose Jaw, as early as Monday night.  

“We will see the rain overnight tonight [Monday] into Tuesday morning. Then the snow is forecasted to start up overnight Tuesday into Wednesday and then really be a big Wednesday event with most of the snow falling on Wednesday and then slowly tapering off on Thursday.” 

Currently, the storm is making its way to shore in the northwestern United States. 

“When it comes on shore it will get ripped apart over the mountains and then it reforms. There is a Colorado Low forming but this is just an extension of that particular system so it’s not the actual Colorado Low coming up into the province.” 

The bulk of the snow is expected to fall over southeastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba, from Regina to the Manitoba Parklands.  

Lang says the biggest uncertainty is the severity of the storm east of Regina.  

Winds are expected to get up to 50 kilometres an hour, which could cause limited visibility on area highways.  

“With snow accumulating, temperatures dropping below freezing, and the winds blowing the snow across the roads, we are expecting the roads to ice up and become quite messy on Wednesday.” 

Lang recommends postponing travel on Wednesday and Thursday, as the storm is expected to make conditions unfavouable on area highways.  

Hopefully by the weekend the snow that does form will melt, as a high of +4 C and sunshine is expected on Saturday and +8 C on Sunday.  

For up-to-date road conditions visit Discover Moose Jaw's  Road Reports and Cancellations page and the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.