The severity of a “potent” Alberta clipper that is forecast to move through southern Saskatchewan on Wednesday has been updated by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

At 9:53 a.m. Wednesday, ECCC issued an Orange level warning for Waldheim, Hepburn and Laird. The Orange level warning was continued for Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and a number of communities between these three cities.

According to the City of Regina, snow routes will be declared, effective for a 24 hour period beginning 6 a.m. Dec. 18.

“It’s going to get icy out. There’s no doubt with just with the flash freezing. We do have our ice control people out. They’ll be running 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Roadways and Seasonal Operations Manager Daryl Massier.

As a result of the icy conditions, the city cancelled garbage, recycling, and food and yard waste pickup on Wednesday.

Both Regina Public Schools and Regina Catholic Schools announced Wednesday that all extra-curricular activities scheduled for the evening, including band and Christmas concerts, would be cancelled due to inclement weather and road conditions.

In a media release Wednesday morning, the City of Moose Jaw said that Moose Jaw Transit service is cancelled until further notice due to severe weather conditions. Service will resume once conditions improve.

Additionally, city recreation facilities like Plamor Palace, Kinsmen Sportsplex, and the Yara Centre will be closed effective 1 p.m.

An Orange level warning indicates severe weather likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.

Saskatchewan RCMP responded to 29 reports of weather-related calls throughout the day, including collisions, vehicles in the ditch, and other traffic hazards.

“I heard from one our officers in Swift Current that the roads are so slippery that it’s hard to stand on the roads, let alone drive,” said Saskatchewan RCMP’s Keely Grasser.

Highway 1 near Chaplin was closed for much of the day after a semi flipped on its side, blocking traffic heading west.

Swift Current, White Butte, and Moose Jaw RCMP also responded to multiple weather-related calls for service.

Dan Palmer with the Ministry of Highways encouraged people to check the Highway Hotline before heading out.

“The weather has changed on a dime, which has made for challenging conditions.”

“It’s one of those days that if you can hunker down and just stay put, this is the day to do it. If you can postpone travel, if you can postpone appointments, shopping, anything like that, if you can postpone it until tomorrow, it’s probably the best decision you can make,” said Environmental and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang.

The impact level of the warning is high and the forecast confident is also listed as high by ECCC. The forecast is estimating 10 to 20 centimetres of snow with maximum wind gusts north to northeasterly 70 to 90 kmh.

Conditions are expected to begin Wednesday morning and move southward throughout the day. Areas that are under a Freezing Rain warning may not see blizzard conditions until later this afternoon or evening. The storm is expected to end Wednesday overnight.