Those in Regina, Saskatoon and much of southern Saskatchewan may want to prepare for a brutal blast of winter following unseasonably warm temperatures.

As of 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a winter storm watch and a blizzard warning.

According to the federal weather service, a “potent” Alberta clipper is set to move through the southern half of the province on Wednesday, bringing 10 to 25 centimetres of snow.

The snowfall is slated to begin on Wednesday morning in southern Saskatchewan and quickly spread east into Manitoba by the afternoon.

The winter storm warning covers the province from the U.S./Canada border to as far north as Onion Lake. The warning includes all major centres in the southern half of the province except Prince Albert, Melfort and Tisdale.

As part of the blizzard warning, ECCC forecasts wind gusts ranging from 70 to 80km/h and visibility that frequently nears zero due to blowing snow.

ECCC had issued flash freeze and wind warnings early Tuesday morning. They were later cancelled.