REGINA -- A strong storm with wind gusts up to 110 km/h is expected to roll through Regina on Monday.

A wind warning and blowing snow advisory is in effect for southern Saskatchewan, according to Environment Canada. Strong winds may cause damage to buildings or break tree branches.

However, it is not expected to be as aggressive as the record-breaking storm that hit Saskatchewan in January.

“This one will be over more quickly and wind gusts are not expected to exceed 110 km/h, although that can still do quite a bit of damage. But the wind should have simmered down somewhat in the overnight period,” said Terry Lang, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

Near Kindersley, drivers experienced zero visibility in the morning and roadways were closed.
 
“We had hours of that completely no visibility, so I couldn’t see much past an arms length way out of the vehicle,” said storm chaser Jenny Hagan.
 
Hagan said visibility slightly improved around noon, but the wind continued strong and the power was knocked out.
According to SaskPower, crews and resources are on standby to deal with any power outages. As of 9 a.m., SaskPower was already dealing with 78 power outages in the province.
 
“We’ve also put all non-essential, non-critical work on pause, to make sure that we have the resources, the actual physical workers ready to go,” said Scott McGregor, SaskPower’s spokesperson.
 
McGregor said power can be rerouted in major centres, making it a bit easier to repair.
 
“In the rural areas though there’s not that tight concentration of infrastructure, so it might take a bit longer,” McGregor said.
 
More than 50 pieces of equipment are on standby in Regina, available to handle any snow or ice build up on roadways.
 
“Right now we are focusing mostly on the ice control aspect of it, however if those conditions change and the accumulation starts to grow, we will start plowing operations too,” said Tyler Bien, roadways and seasonal operations manager with the City of Regina.

Lang said some winds may stick around into Tuesday, but won’t be as strong. Roads may still be slippery with wintery conditions on Tuesday. By Wednesday, the weather should be back to more spring like conditions.

The western portion of the province experienced highway closures and near zero visibility in many places on Monday. However, Lang doesn’t expect the storm to be as aggressive when it hits Regina.

“Just because I don’t think you’re going to see as much snow, but I think the winds are really going to be the story as it blows through the Regina area,” Lang said.

The RCMP Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network is asking people to stay off the roads. According to a release, detachments in the southwest are responding to multiple collisions and stranded drivers.

RCMP are advising motorists to check highway conditions before travelling. If travel plans can’t be postponed, RCMP recommend giving yourself plenty of time to get to your destination, have a full tank of gas, a fully-charged phone and an emergency kit.