Zero visibility reported on many Regina area highways

A wave of snow and high winds contributed to poor visibility and road conditions in Regina on Nov. 19, 2024. (David Prisciak/CTV News)

Highway conditions in much of southeastern Saskatchewan are proving to be treacherous Friday morning, with zero visibility and ice covered sections being reported on many roads in the Regina area.

As of 7:45 Friday morning Highway 1 was closed from Regina to Belle Plaine.

Zero visibility along with drifting, swirling and loose snow was also being reported on the Regina Bypass by the Highway Hotline.

The website said travel was not recommended on any highway leaving the Queen City at 8 a.m.

Similar conditions were also being reported in east-central Saskatchewan on Friday morning with poor or zero visibility in the Yorkton area as well, according to the Highway hotline.

Updated and current road conditions can be found here.

On Thursday Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a blowing snow advisory for a large portion of central and southern Saskatchewan with wind gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour possible in some locations.

On Friday morning ECCC had dropped a snowfall and wind warning it issued the day before as well and changed the blowing snow advisory to include all of southern Saskatchewan.

Current and up to date watches and warnings can be seen here.

Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Yorkton, Weyburn and Estevan were all included in the blowing snow advisory on Friday morning.

ECCC said conditions should gradually improve throughout Friday morning as winds subside somewhat.

Cold temperatures are then expected to settle in for much of the province on the weekend.

In a news release Friday morning Saskatchewan RCMP warned drivers about the hazardous highway conditions.

RCMP said that snow-covered lanes, drifting and blowing snow, road closures and detorus and strong winds were all impacting highways and visibility.