An Alberta clipper blasted into Saskatchewan on Saturday, bringing wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres per hour.
It was a rather blustery day across southern Saskatchewan on Saturday, as an Alberta clipper battered swathes of the province with severe winds and intense gusts, ripping up trees, tearing down signs and shattering windows.
According to Environment Canada, communities including Estevan, Weyburn, Bratts Lake, Coronach and Yellow Grass saw wind gusts of 100 kilometres per hour or more, while Regina saw a maximum sustained wind of 74 kilometres per hour with gusts up to 98 kilometres per hour.
An Alberta clipper happens when warm winds from the Pacific Ocean collide with the colder air over the Rocky Mountains, creating a low pressure weather system known for powerful gusts and bitterly cold temperatures.
Shortly after noon on Saturday, the Regina Fire Service said the winds were so strong, they had blown over a semi on the Regina Bypass.
“Please proceed with caution,” the fire department urged motorists on social media, as firefighters contained a “minor diesel leak” and prepared to remove the trailer.
Later that afternoon, the Saskatchewan RCMP put out its own plea for drivers to be very careful on the roads, as the high winds were blowing over even more vehicles.
White Butte RCMP spent a busy afternoon responding to an overturned semi, as well as a truck and trailer, until the Highway #10 overpass near Balgonie was closed due to the high winds.
The westbound lanes of Highway #1 overpass at Highway #33 were also closed.
Meanwhile, volunteer fire fighters in the village of Kelliher said they were fielding reports of downed power lines from the storm.
By noon on Sunday, SaskPower said it had crews on the ground in the area, and expected to restore power by early Sunday afternoon.
Further north in the province, in the Saskatoon area, the wind was less destructive but still made a dramatic impression, with gusts of up to 75 kilometres per hour observed on Saturday morning.
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