Saskatchewan's first significant blizzard of the winter season swept across the province with force on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, prompting a massive and immediate cleanup operation. The swift-moving Alberta Clipper weather system left behind substantial snowfall and hazardous driving conditions, leading to a tragic fatality and dozens of collisions.
Storm Impact and Emergency Response
The storm's intensity was felt province-wide, with Saskatoon recording 11 centimetres of snow accumulation on Wednesday. In response, municipal crews were deployed rapidly. The City of Saskatoon mobilized a fleet of 30 graders, six plows, and 15 sanders to clear and maintain Priority 1 routes. An additional nine sidewalk plows worked on pathways, including the Meewasin Trail and bridge walkways.
In Regina, a 24-hour parking ban was enacted on snow routes starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday, December 18, to facilitate clearing operations. Police in the capital city responded to 24 collisions within a 24-hour span, three of which resulted in what are believed to be minor injuries.
Tragedy on the Highways
The storm had a deadly consequence. Saskatchewan RCMP confirmed one fatality resulting from a multi-vehicle collision. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 1 and Highway 201 near Broadview, approximately 150 kilometres east of Regina.
RCMP spokeswoman Keely Grasser reported that the crash involved three semi-trucks. The driver of one truck, a 33-year-old man from Winnipeg, was pronounced dead at the scene. This tragic event underscored the extreme dangers posed by the sudden winter weather.
RCMP were inundated with weather-related calls. Between 4 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday, police received 82 reports of vehicle collisions and an additional 25 weather or traffic reports across Saskatchewan. Earlier in the day, from midnight to 2 p.m. Wednesday, there were 29 calls for service related to the storm, including ditched vehicles and traffic hazards.
Provincial Cleanup and Safety Warnings
On a provincial scale, the Ministry of Highways was responsible for patrolling and plowing approximately 26,500 kilometres of highways. The ministry operates a fleet of roughly 300 snow plows and related apparatus to maintain what is described as the largest per-capita highway network in Canada. Drivers are encouraged to check conditions via the approximately 50 roadside cameras on the Highway Hotline system.
With more snow and blowing snow forecast for much of the province on Friday, officials issued stern warnings. Both RCMP's Keely Grasser and Ministry of Highways spokesman Dan Palmer urged extreme caution.
"Drive at a speed that feels safe for you. If you don't feel in control of your vehicle, you're driving too fast," stated Grasser. Their combined advice for motorists included avoiding closed roads, refraining from using cruise control in poor conditions, keeping cellular devices charged, wearing warm clothing, and consistently checking highway conditions before and during travel.
"Ensure that you're making an informed decision before you go," Palmer emphasized. "Pay attention. Be alert. And when you do get to your destination, before you return, check it again."
The cleanup continues as Saskatchewan residents grapple with the first major blast of winter, a stark reminder of the importance of preparedness and caution during the province's harsh seasonal weather.
