News Releases

Weather

Saskatoon is currently experiencing the first Weather Event of the year. Environment Canada continues to issue a Snowfall Warning for Saskatoon and area. A final 2 to 4 cm is expected to fall in the warning area today before tapering off to a few flurries by tonight.

Snowfall totals are in the 20-30 cm range which has led to poor visibility, icy conditions and drifting in outlying and open areas.

Temperatures heading into the weekend will also pose challenges. Some of the forecasting models are predicting cooler daytime temperatures around the freezing mark and overnight lows around -3C or -4C into next week. These conditions could lead to more ice formation.

Roadways & Operations

Throughout the snowy conditions, city sanders and plows worked all night, plowing and salting high-priority streets and intersections, and outlying areas.

As the snow keeps falling, crews are focused on improving the Priority 1 network – the high speed, high traffic roadways.

The following equipment has been mobilized:

• 14 Graders
• 6 Plows
• 5 Sanders
• 5 Sidewalk Plows
• Private contractors
  • Sidewalk Snow Clearing
  • Area Grader Assistance

City staff just completed a full surveillance of Circle Drive.  Recent temperature increases and reduced winds have reduced drifting and softened the ice, allowing crews to knock off many of the ruts on the priority network. 

• The loops are still being worked on, but significant progress is being made.  Graders have been working to remove ruts on the lower priority routes over the past two hours (09:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) and progress is being made on those fronts as well.
• A sidewalk plow is clearing the slush from bike lanes. They will still be wet, but will be usable for a bike.
• Roadways will continue to adjust tactics as conditions change throughout the day.
• City staff and contractors are available 24 hours per day to patrol outlying areas, clear drifts and keep driving lanes open.
• Sidewalk Plows are also out in full force city wide.

Trails: Roadways will be instructing snow clearance operators to report damage interfering with the MVA trail as they send crews to complete this work later today.

Back lanes: We are getting reports of water ponding and drainage issues due to the high precipitation. 

• Status: We are focusing all of our efforts on improving road conditions as a matter of public safety, only emergency flooding areas will be looked at for now.

Snow Storage Site Availability

• Status: All snow storage sites are closed due to wet and soft conditions to prevent damage to the sites.

Fall Sweep

• Status: The Fall Sweep is tentatively delayed one week and Roadways is considering rescheduling to start Monday, October 17, weather dependent.  

Transportation

• Crews are continuing to clear snow from signals at curbs, medians, and overhead as wind speeds have decreased and safer for workers in bucket trucks.
• Stop, yield and road signs are also being cleared.
• As always, be extra alert at intersections
• No issues have been reported about traffic signals out or malfunctioning.

Saskatoon Light & Power

Wind will be the main challenge for the City’s power company today and as the stormy conditions continue. 

There were fewer outages overnight and this morning. Neighbourhoods affected within SL&P’s service area were:

• Nutana
• Buena Vista
• Exhibition

Power went out around 7:00 a.m. and was restored to these areas at 9:30 a.m.

There were also a handful of localized outages affecting single properties or smaller groups of buildings.

Service Alerts with regular updates will continue to be issued if outages occur. They will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Major Projects

Work on major projects continues including work on the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection.

Drivers are reminded the traffic accommodation through the intersection includes two westbound through lanes.

For drivers who typically use the right (curb) lane to travel through the intersection, please continue to use this lane and follow the signs and delineators; the right lane does not merge into the left lane at the intersection. More information is here.

Transit

Transit service is operating as regularly scheduled. Customers could experience delays due to heavy snowfall, ice or traffic congestion should weather conditions worsen.

Customers are reminded to dress for the weather and to track their bus in real time through Transit App and Google Transit.     

Parks & Urban Forestry

All Urban Forestry crews are responding to tree damage on a priority basis.

We presently have 38 reports of tree damage. Calls are still coming in.

Contractors are on stand-by but they have not been asked to assist as our crews are still able to handle the current response needs.

• We are seeing a lot of heavy snow on branches resulting in the drooping of lateral limbs especially on conifers and trees still in leaf.
• We expect there will continue to be damage reported until conditions change and the weight on limbs is reduced as the snow melts.
• We have received some calls about low hanging limbs weighed down by snow. However we would not remove limbs on City trees that have not failed unless there is evidence of a weak branch attachment.
• We expect most trees will withstand the current snow load and will recover.
• Sutherland neighbourhood pruning contract is in progress and will continue today.
• Horticulture crews inspected parks and naturalized areas yesterday and any non-urgent park tree damage will be addressed as resources permit.
• A further inspection of park pathways and play areas will be completed over the remainder of the week with the assistance of Horticulture staff.
• To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975- 2476.
• Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.
• Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill. 

For timely updates check the City website and snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.

Weather

Saskatoon is currently experiencing the first Weather Event of the winter season. Environment Canada continues to issue a Snowfall Warning for Saskatoon and area forecasting rain, wind, and up to 15 cm of snow which will lead to poor visibility and icy conditions.

“Gusty northerly winds will also continue today and visibilities may be reduced at times in snow and blowing snow,” the Environment Canada warning says. “Light snow will gradually taper off from west to east Wednesday night into Thursday.”

Subzero overnight lows of -3C for the remainder of the work week will more than likely make for slippery and icy conditions on roads and sidewalks.

Roadways & Operations

To keep Saskatoon people and visitors moving around, City and contractor staff are available 24 hours per day to reduce ice formation and increase traction on high-priority streets

Last night between 3:00 a.m. and 3:45 a.m., Saskatoon experienced heavy snowfall.  Additional sander operators were called in to assist the night shift and bridge sander operations into the day shift.

Circle Drive is currently covered with an ice/water slush and crews are focused on plowing slush and applying additional salt to Circle Drive and Priority 1 Streets.

The following equipment is currently available:

• 4 tandem belly plows
• 6 tandem sanders
• 12 graders
• 3 loaders
• 4 sidewalk plows

What you can expect:

• During the weather event, Roadways will focus on keeping driving lanes open on high traffic priority streets, and sand/salt high speed roads as well as high traffic intersections.
• City crews are currently plowing and applying salt to Circle Drive.
• Depending on snowfall amount, snow will be stored in the middle and adjacent to roads.
• Once the snow stops at the end of the event, sidewalk crews will focus on clearing snow from bridges, overpasses and high use walkways. Pedestrians should exercise caution. 
• Ground crews will continue to transition additional equipment for snow operations and manage utility cuts and surface drainage as the snow melts.
• The Roadways team will continue to monitor this weather event and activate Area Snow Maintenance Contracts (grader assistance) if needed. Twenty-three contract graders are available, if required.
• For timely updates check the snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.

Transportation

• Power to most of the major intersections have had electricity restored either with regular service or with portable generators.
• As of mid-morning, technicians were going to address intersections that have remained in flash mode.
• Crews are beginning to clear snow from signals at curbs and on medians, but overhead signals can’t be done because a bucket truck is needed and winds are currently too strong for worker safety.
• Stop, yield and road signs may also be covered, so be aware at intersections.

Saskatoon Light & Power

As predicted, wet heavy snow affected and continues to affect electrical service. A number of power outages were reported and addressed in the early morning starting at 2:59 a.m.

• In the area covered by Saskatoon Light & Power, 5 main outages caused partial power interruptions in 12 neighbourhoods. The majority of these neighbourhoods had power restored by 8:00 a.m.
• Most outages were caused by adverse weather conditions including wind, ice, and snow. In some cases tree limbs came in contact with power line causing a power outage.
• Crews are currently working in some localized areas that remain without power. 
• All current areas without power can expected to have their power restored within the next few hours. 

Here’s a summary of the 5 main outages from last night:

• 2:59 a.m. to 7:29 a.m. – Affecting parts of Varsity View and Grosvenor Park
• 3:06 a.m. to 6:23 a.m. – Affecting parts of City Park
• 3:37 a.m. to 8:02 a.m. – Affecting parts of Sutherland, Sutherland Industrial and Forest Grove
• 4:07 a.m. to 4:32 a.m. – Affecting parts of Adelaide, Churchill, Nutana Park
• 4:25 a.m. to 7:22 a.m. – Affecting parts of Caswell Hill, Riversdale, Pleasant Hill and Westmount

As of 10:00 a.m. some smaller pockets of isolated power outages continue to exist in the following areas:

• 1300 Block of 14th Street
• 900 Block of 10th Street
• 1100 Block of 2nd Street and 3rd Street
• 3200 Block of Mountbatten
• 1400 Block of Empress Avenue
• 1500 Block of Spadina Crescent

There were also a handful of localized outages affecting single properties.

Service Alerts with regular updates will continue to be issued if outages occur. They will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Major Projects

Work on major projects continues including work on the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection.

• The Attridge Drive westbound left turn lane heading south to Central Avenue will be closed while improvements to the northeast corner of the intersection backing the Silver Spring neighbourhood are completed. More information is here.

Transit

Transit service is operating as regularly scheduled. Customers could experience delays due to heavy snowfall, ice or traffic congestion should weather conditions worsen.

• Customers are reminded to dress for the weather and to track their bus in real time through Transit App and Google Transit.     

Parks & Urban Forestry

Because leaves are not fully off the trees, wet heavy snow may cause limbs to fall.

• Parks crews and private contractors continue to be on standby as the heavy snow may cause tree limbs to fall and block roadways and sidewalks.
• Within the last 24 hours Parks received one report of a fallen tree.
• To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975-2476.
• Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.
• Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill. 

For timely updates check the City website and snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert. 

Environment Canada today issued a Snowfall Warning for Saskatoon and area forecasting rain, wind, and snow which will lead to poor visibility and icy conditions.

“It’s possible we could experience as much as 15 cm of wet, heavy snow overnight and stretching into Thursday,” says Ray Unrau, Director of Emergency Measures Organization. “We want everyone to be ready for what could be a very challenging early autumn storm.”

Roadways and Operations

To keep Saskatoon people and visitors moving around, City and contractor staff are available 24 hours per day to reduce ice formation and increase traction on high-priority streets.

“During a snowfall, we focus our efforts on our busiest, high-priority streets including those around fire stations and hospitals,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations. “We need to keep the main traffic routes open with the reminder that everyone has to be patient, slow down and stay alert.”

What you can expect:

• During the weather event, Roadways will focus on keeping driving lanes open on high traffic priority streets, and sand/salt high speed roads as well as high traffic intersections.
• Sanding crews will be on priority streets throughout the night and day applying sand and salt as required. 
• Depending on snowfall amount, snow will be stored in the middle and adjacent to roads.
• Staff will monitor and minimize ponding water and surface drainage issues as the snow melts.
• For timely updates check the snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.
• Equipment available includes: 4 tandem plow/sander combination units; 3 tandem sanders; 12 graders; 3 loaders; and 5 sidewalk plows.
• Wet snow may cover traffic signals and can only be cleaned safely in lower wind speeds.
• Stop, yield and road signs may also be covered, so be aware at intersections.

Saskatoon Light & Power

Wet heavy snow may also affect electrical service. Trevor Bell, Director of Saskatoon Light & Power says staff are ready for service interruptions.

“We’re keeping an eye on the weather and have a trouble crew and standby personnel on hand to deal with issues as they arise,” Bell says. “We will also call in additional crews to respond to power outages if needed.”

Service Alerts with regular updates will be issued if outages occur. They will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Construction & Design

Most of the City’s construction projects are nearing completion or in the process of being closed for winter.

“The impact this weather will have depends not so much on the amount of snow that falls, but rather on the length of time the snow stays and the weather after the snowfall,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design. “A few days of snow that quickly melts is the same as rain.”

If we have enough warm, dry weather, work sites will dry up and paving can continue.

Transit

Transit service will be operating as regularly scheduled. Customers may experience delays due to heavy snowfall, ice or traffic congestion due to weather. Saskatoon Transit will provide updates through service alerts should conditions change.   

Parks & Urban Forestry

Because leaves are not fully off the trees, wet heavy snow may cause limbs to fall.

“Parks crews will be focused on locations where branches are blocking roadways and sidewalks, or have the potential for injury or damage,” says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “Crews will continue to monitor the extent of City-wide tree damage and will be available to work extended hours so that follow-up on citizen reports can continue to occur.”

To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975-2476.

Residents should leave a message with details including the adjacent address and describe the issue so that staff can prioritize the response.

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.

Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill. 

For timely updates check the City website and snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert. 

Central Avenue in the Sutherland Business Improvement District (BID) is now home to “Spheres of Confluence,” a new work of public art by Paul Reimer, as seen below.  The sculpture was revealed as part of the Sutherland Culture Fair and Saskatoon’s Culture Days.

“Paul Reimer used track manufactured in 1912 from Canadian Pacific’s Sutherland rail yard; the base represents the historic importance of the railroad in Sutherland, a strong foundation future generations have built on,” says Community Development Manager, Kevin Kitchen.  “The large ring symbolizes our community and rail’s contribution to Saskatoon.  The middle represents the neighbourhood of Sutherland and the small, inner ring – the individuals and families at the core of community.  Pointing skyward to the future, is the spirit of our community.” 

Paul was born in Calgary, Alberta, and at a young age his family moved to British Columbia (BC).  In Paul’s teen years, he began his blacksmithing apprenticeship, and by 20 years old, he became the head blacksmith at Fort Steele Heritage Town, just outside of Cranbrook, BC.  In 2001, at age 26, Paul began his own blacksmithing business with six employees.  Paul lives with his wife and two children in Cranbrook.  Family and community involvement are the most important elements of Paul’s life.  With his work, Paul strives to bring the spirit of community building with public art projects to many other cities.

“The City has a vibrant art program, showcasing pieces from a wide range of artists,” Kitchen says.  “The City and the Sutherland BID are looking forward to having this unique piece displayed on Central Avenue.”

Culture Days is a national initiative intended to raise awareness of arts and culture in communities across Canada.  Many more events will be happening in Saskatoon throughout the weekend, focusing on our city’s vibrant cultural scene.  For a complete list of activities, visit the official Culture Days website.

For more information on Saskatoon’s Public Art initiatives, visit the website. 

Saskatoon’s first pink fire truck will be patrolling city streets to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. Firefighters have long seen their colleagues, mothers, wives and daughters fight breast cancer and want to make a difference.

Fire Engine 12 is painted a traditional red but it will be wrapped in pink for the month of October. Saskatoon residents will be able to sign the pink fire truck in exchange for a $10 donation to breast cancer research. Please make sure the truck is not involved in an emergency before approaching.

Engine 12 will continue to be an integral part of the Saskatoon Fire Department’s fleet during October.  If possible, the pink truck will be at following events:

• Woman’s World Show at Prairieland Park on October 1.
• Ladies Optimist Gala at TCU Place on October 15.
• C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research at the Circle Centre Mall on October 21.
• Breast Health Comedy Night at the Parktown Hotel on October 21^st

The pink truck is the result of a three-way partnership between the Saskatoon Fire Department, IAFF Local 80 and Cowan Imaging Group who donated the costs associated with installing the wrap.

All proceeds will be donated to the C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research to fund research being done right here in Saskatoon.

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