Tow operators in Meadow Lake say they stopped responding at the height of a late-season snowstorm as dangerous highway conditions left vehicles stranded and even trapped tow trucks.
A spokesperson for McCollum’s Autobody and Towing said the situation escalated quickly Tuesday evening as snowfall intensified across northwest Saskatchewan.
“It was crazy,” she said. “Like the phone was non-stop ringing.”
The company, which operates five trucks, received about 30 calls through the evening as drivers slid into ditches amid poor visibility and deteriorating road conditions.
A “big long list” of stranded motorists quickly formed. By around 5 p.m., police intervened and “told us not to send our trucks out anymore.”
Some trucks were already on the road and operators were told to assist whoever they could safely reach. Even then, conditions proved difficult.
“It was like dangerous even for them,” she said. “And then our truck got stuck, so I had to send another truck out there to save him… it was kind of crazy.”
Trucks are stuck in the ditch along a snow-covered highway in Meadow Lake during heavy snowfall on April 7, 2026. (video credit:Truckers voice NA/Facebook)
As calls continued, the company began advising motorists to abandon their vehicles.
“I was telling people when they were calling just to abandon their vehicles to get a ride,” she said, noting wait times could stretch to five or six hours.
Highway conditions across the region reflected the severity of the storm.
As of Wednesday morning, Saskatchewan’s Highway Hotline reported travel was not recommended in several areas, including Meadow Lake and North Battleford, with zero visibility, heavy snow, drifting snow, ice and slush.
Environment and Climate Change Canada said the hardest-hit areas followed a band from the Meadow Lake region through Prince Albert, where snowfall totals exceeded 20 centimetres.
Meteorologist Danielle Desjardins said Meadow Lake saw some of the highest totals, with up to 37 centimetres reported.
“The further north you head, it’s 20 centimeters plus, with so far Meadow Lake being the biggest accumulation we’ve seen so far.”
Desjardins added rapidly accumulating snow combined with strong winds created poor visibility and “treacherous travel conditions.”
A semi-truck sits in the ditch along Highway 4 south of Meadow Lake on April 8, 2026. (Image Credit: Skilled Truckers Canada/Facebook)
Among those affected were vulnerable drivers stranded in dangerous conditions.
“There were three ladies who were elders last night at five o’clock that were desperate to get out of the ditch,” the towing company’s spokesperson recalled.
“One lady said, ‘I can’t even get out of my vehicle.’”
While snowfall around the Easter period is not unusual, the spokesperson said the storm lasted longer than expected.
“We thought that it would be over quicker, but it just kept snowing and snowing and snowing. It just got worse and worse as the day progressed.”
While it might seem like Saskatchewan is back in the depths of winter after the storm, Meteorologist Dan Fulton said the snow probably won’t stick around for too long.
“Temperatures rebound towards the end of the week into the weekend into the double digits, so there should be a lot of melting going on,” he said.
The latest updates on the weather alerts can be found on Environment Canada’s website, and current road conditions can be accessed through the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline.
-With files from 650 CKOM-
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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com
