Saskatoon schools closed following major snowfall
Saskatoon has received about 25 cm of snow in total since Saturday afternoon
Much of Saskatchewan was still blanketed in a thick layer of snow Monday morning after a weekend of heavy snowfall, leading several schools across the province to cancel classes for a snow day.
All Saskatoon public schools and Greater Catholic schools are closed Monday due to the impact that the heavy snowfall this weekend had on the roads.
The Saskatoon Public School Board says the decision was made in collaboration with emergency services and the Greater Catholic School Division, and with the safety of staff, students and their families in mind.
"This cancellation will reduce the number of vehicles on the streets, thereby allowing the city to clear streets more efficiently," the school board said in a release.
About 25 centimetres of snow has fallen in the city since Saturday, making travel treacherous and prompting Saskatoon Transit to close several bus routes.
Routes around the city including in City Centre, Confederation Park, Silverwood and Stonebridge are temporarily closed, and people are being advised to make alternative travel plans until roads are cleared.
Danielle Desjardins, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, says the weekend storm dropped about 10 centimetres of snow in nearly every region in the south.
The system was strongest farther north around Saskatoon and the northern grain belt, Desjardins said: "This was quite a significant event. Widespread snowfall warnings and alerts."
Preliminary reports from ECCC show the heaviest snowfall occurred in the Wilkie area, about 165 kilometres west of Saskatoon, which recorded 30 cm of snow.
The City of Saskatoon says it received 25 cm of snow, while ECCC says Regina got about 17 cm.
The City of Saskatoon had extended its "snow event" designation as of 7 a.m. CT Monday and in a recent update said about 86 per cent of priority streets had been graded.
However, many roads remain icy and snow-covered, especially bridges and ramps, according to the city release.
The city is focusing on clearing and de-icing Circle Drive, freeways and the city's busiest streets, including Eighth Street and Idylwyld Drive, mobilizing 37 graders, 15 sanders and eight plows.
Saskatoon's director of roadways Goran Saric said in a press conference Monday afternoon that the city will not be plowing all residential roads.
"Based on our field assessment, the assessment from our crews, from our supervisors, field managers, mobility across the city is sufficient and acceptable for now," Saric said.
Saric said that the city is trying to take a "very fiscally responsible approach" and will monitor areas to see if a plow is needed.
The two snowfalls in the city are estimated to cost the city over $3.5 million, Saric said.
All Saskatoon public school staff have been asked to work from home, with the exception of administrative council, operators and maintenance staff.
Some campuses at the University of Saskatchewan are also closed Monday.
All schools are expected to reopen on Tuesday.
The City of Saskatoon is asking that people stay home if they can, and avoid travel to allow crews to continue clearing the snow. People who have to drive are urged to have winter tires and allow extra time to safely reach their destination.
The city is also asking that people avoid parking on priority streets where snow clearing equipment is active.
The status of snow clearing throughout Saskatoon can be monitored through the city's Priority Street Snow Grading Map.
The weekend storm hit the Regina area as well, with residents reporting about 16 centimetres of snowfall overnight Saturday, but schools remained open Monday.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Jeffery Tram