People getting ready for the long weekend can be forgiven for thinking about packing snow shovels along with their tents.

Elk emerge from the woods near Waskesiu in Prince Albert National Park on Friday.
(John Hughes/CBC)

On Friday, a day when many people were loading up their cars for a Victoria Day getaway, there was snow and colder-than-normal weather in north and central Saskatchewan.

Snow was falling on the resort village of Waskesiu inside Prince Albert National Park.

It wasn't stopping some hardy weekenders — one area set aside for motor homes was about three quarters full Friday morning. However, the tenting grounds were nearly deserted.

Les Archer, who owns a grocery store at Waskesiu, said he expects to be busy, whether it's warm or cold.

"People need to get their cabins going. So we're gonna see some traffic this weekend regardless," he said.

Snow was also falling Friday in Nipawin on the province's east side.

Nipawin was hit by a spring snowstorm on Friday.
(Courtesy Barry Chessall)

The same area saw temperatures in the mid-20s a day earlier. The snow is not expected to last throughout the weekend, with warmer weather predicted.

There were milder temperatures in southern Saskatchewan Friday, although at 3:35 p.m. Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Carlyle, Oxbow, Carnduff, Bienfait, Stoughton, Estevan, Weyburn, Radville and Milestone.