It’s the first official day of spring and with it comes the beginning of spring weight restrictions on secondary highways throughout southern Saskatchewan.

The new restrictions came into effect at 12:01 a.m. today and will last for up to six weeks.  The government says further restrictions will be phased in as winter conditions dissipate across the province.

Spring weight restrictions are implemented to protect the surface and ground beneath secondary roadways, which weaken as the ground thaws and water seeps in.  This means allowable weights on rural municipality roads and secondary weight provincial highways are reduced by 10 to 15 per cent.

The first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere is marked by the sun crossing the equator, making the number of hours for day and night nearly equal. In 2026, the equinox took place 8:46 A.M. in Saskatchewan.  This is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.