As we head into the icy grip of winter, the provincial Water Security Agency has released its winter conditions forecast.

Most parts of Saskatchewan are on the dry side, although some areas did get a higher than normal amount of precipitation during the spring and summer. However, the second half of the season was very dry, resulting in drier than normal soil conditions.

Most larger water supply reservoirs across southern and central Saskatchewan have an adequate supply of water.

The southwest is especially dry, and the hope is for a good snowfall during the winter.

WSA issues the Conditions at Freeze up Report during the late fall/early winter period. Freeze-up conditions, in combination with the winter snowpack, becomes the initial base for the spring snowmelt runoff forecast.

This report gives an early indication of areas that are more vulnerable to potentially above or below normal runoff in the spring. It is not a spring runoff forecast, as winter snow accumulation is an integral component in the runoff yield during the melt and is impossible to predict at this juncture.

The assessment is compiled with data from various sources including Environment and Climate Change Canada and the US National Weather Service. We are anticipating near normal temperatures but larger snowpacks this year.