Unofficially, Weyburn has received close to 40 centimetres of snow, if not more. This has meant a lot of work for city crews who were already in the transition from winter operations to spring operations. One grader was still set up for winter, but another needed to have the blade changed from gravel to snow. As well, the salt/sand truck was ready to go ahead of the storm, along with the snow blowers.  

When the storm hit, they started their work. 

“Over the past 24 hours, and into Thursday, we’re really focusing on priority routes and making sure those emergency routes are clear for people to pass, and get to the places they need to,” explained Paige Tenbult, the communications coordinator for the City of Weyburn.  

The crews started work yesterday morning as the storm hit, working to keep those routes clear throughout the day Wednesday. In addition to maintaining those routes during the storm, city crews were also working with emergency services when they needed assistance. 

“We have a great partnership with our police and fire departments, ensuring that the routes are clear for them to do their job,” added Tenbult. “Emergency services such as EMS are also a part of that, so our city staff work really well with those departments to make sure that we’re providing them access to do their job as effective as they can.” 

Those efforts can include clearing paths on streets that would be otherwise inaccessible, or difficult to transit, for vehicles such as ambulances. The crews will also help on the scene as needed in terms of snow removal. 

The type of snow that Weyburn has received will also make much of their work difficult over the next few days, thanks to the milder temperatures that were associated with this Colorado low, as compared to what is often seen.  

“This type of snow is difficult,” Tenbult said. “It’s really heavy, it’s really wet snow. Our snow blowers are kind of not able to function when the snow is this wet and heavy so the conditions right now – downtown especially – are going to be tackled hopefully really early in the morning tomorrow (Friday).” 

As the crews are moving from the priority routes to the primary and secondary routes and downtown, the City of Weyburn is also reminding residents to try to keep vehicles off the street, if possible, so crews can get the job done properly. 

“The graders are massive pieces of equipment as well as those loaders and the trucks that we use to remove the snow,” Tenbult pointed out. “We’re just asking the residents to be patient with us, to cooperate with us and to help make sure our crews can do the best job that they can.”