The Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure has closed most roads on a line south of Swift Current to Moose Jaw as treacherous driving conditions have slowed overnight travel to a standstill.
Glare ice and drifting snow has forced the closure of the TransCanada Highway between Moose Jaw and Swift Current, while Highway #19, Highway #58, Highway #363, and Highway #36 running from the TransCanada to Highway #13 have all been closed during the evening hours.
An Environment Canada blowing snow warning remains in effect or the overnight hours, with poor visibilities expected as a result of the 50 kilometer winds which have also featured gusting winds as high as 80 kilometers per hour.
Environment Canada notes that the Southwest could also be in for an extra dose of bad weather news in the Shaunavon - Maple Creek - Val Marie - Cypress Hills, plus the Leader - Gull Lake forecast areas, where freezing rain and snow could develop late this evening.
"To add to the mayhem...Weather radar is indicating a developing area of precipitation currently in Montana which is poised to move into extreme Southwest Saskatchewan late this evening. This will likely fall as a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow, depending upon the temperature at the time. A freezing rain warning has thus been issued for this area," Environment Canada's freezing rain warning notes.
