Seasonal

I live in Saskatchewan and I will describe winter here. The province has two climate zones. The southern and central parts of Saskatchewan have an extremely continental climate and the northern side has a subarctic climate. Winter temperatures are generally cold and snowy until early March, but sunny. The southern and central sides have flat landscapes with many lakes, but the northern side is covered with forest. I have a house in the central part of the province, near Prince Albert. The coldest ever temperatures recorded here was -56.7°C.

Winter Driving

Winter in Saskatchewan is harsh. The road conditions are sometimes not acceptable because flat surfaces don't allow water to drain from the road and when it gets frozen, the road becomes extremely slippery.  This requires drivers to be very careful and also to do some precautions and make preparations before winter starts.  If I tell you about winter tires, it’s not top secret, but always good to have.  I use winter tires to increase safety for me and other drivers on the highway. Before winter starts, I do preparations to my track.  Some people call it - winterize your vehicles. This includes an examination of all equipment and carrying an emergency road kit. So, I keep my vehicle in shape for winter driving. 

Working in Winter

I work throughout the province and I have to travel a lot but in winter it’s always difficult.

I'm lucky to work inside a building, but sometimes I have to work outside or work inside where it is very hot, and then return to the parking lot to the frozen car. When I worked here on my first job 11 years ago, we had a few cases of frostbite.  Sometimes, the weather changes and we enjoy sunny, warm days.  During this time, we can observe a lot of deer and other wildlife.

I like Saskatchewan regardless of harsh winter.  I especially enjoy the many sunny days here.