Winter is once again beginning to wake up in it's den, stretching and contemplating exercising it's icy tentacles on southeastern Saskatchewan.

Regional Meteorologist Terri Laing of Environment Canada pointed out that the skies above our region are the scene of a conflict betwixt two powerful forces.

"The weather patterns are changing a bit. Once again, we're at that time of year when we have a sort of battle between the warmer air to the south and the colder air to the north. We often see really nice weather, then all of a sudden it gets cold and windy, then it goes back up."

"There is a cold front moving across the province. We're seeing a low pressure system in the north, and that is giving quite a bit of snow to northern Saskatchewan and some flurry activity to areas farther south," she observed.

"We're going to see the wind really pick up with that northwest wind gusting to 50 kilometers per hour, so it's going to feel like a change coming. This'll move out of the area, but with that cold air diving in the temperatures are going to drop."

Lows of minus four are in the forecast, so Laing advised that if you have anything left in the garden, you may want to get it inside soon.

Another system may move in late on Friday, bringing with it a chance of flurries.

"People shouldn't be alarmed if they do see the snow flying. The ground is still quite warm, when we've had highs of 10 degrees it takes a while for it to cool down so we don't expect any accumulation."

"Into next week it looks like a rebound, with that big upper ridge coming back and highs jumping back above the 10 degree mark. Again, it's that battleground time."

That said, Laing pointed out several items people should keep in mind. First, the lower temperatures mean that any falling precipitation can freeze and make ice. 

"If the temperature drops below zero, you're certainly going to see the pavement freeze, and that's something we call black ice. It looks fine, maybe it looks wet or whatever, but it can be ice covered."

"People should be keeping in mind that we're coming into that time of year when we have to worry about road conditions. During the summer, you'd be thinking about severe weather and cancelling your picnic. Now, during your travelling you have to be thinking about the state of the road."

She added that even if the ground is not snow covered, the roads could be dangerous. It's time to start thinking about outfitting your vehicle with snow tires and an emergency kit, and getting in a safe driving mindset for winter.