A significant winter storm is impacting Alberta, creating treacherous conditions for travelers and residents across the province. The storm is bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous driving conditions, leading to disruptions and damage.

Edmonton and Highway Closures

Edmonton commuters faced a difficult Friday morning, navigating snow and ice-covered roads compounded by strong winds. Numerous vehicles slid into ditches and collided, highlighting the immediate danger. Sections of Highway 63 near Fort McMurray were completely closed due to heavy snowfall and intense wind gusts.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in eastern Alberta strongly advised motorists to postpone non-essential travel, emphasizing the associated risks.

Calgary Wind Damage and Event Cancellation

Calgary experienced exceptionally strong winds, reaching speeds of nearly 90 kilometers per hour. These powerful gusts caused widespread damage, toppling trees, ripping roofs from buildings, and overturning semi-trucks.

The highly anticipated Parade of Wonders, the opening event for the Calgary comic expo, was cancelled due to the severity of the weather. Debris from damaged structures, including sections of the Plus 15 walkways, littered the streets.

Weather Warnings and Forecasts

Environment Canada issued weather warnings for much of eastern Alberta, including a blowing snow advisory from Athabasca to the province’s southeastern corner. The national weather service cautioned that heavy snow and strong winds could lead to near-zero visibility.

Edmonton is bracing for approximately 10 centimeters of additional snowfall by Saturday morning, with a weekend high of -2 degrees Celsius. Calgary is forecast to receive up to 4 centimeters of snow, with temperatures peaking at -3 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Looking Ahead: A Brief Respite

Global Calgary weather specialist Sarah Offin explained that the slow-moving storm system will linger throughout the weekend. However, she also noted that the storm is expected to be relatively short-lived.

Areas south of Fort McMurray, which have been hit the hardest, could see up to 50 centimeters of snow. Despite the current difficulties, both Calgary and Edmonton are expected to see temperatures rebound into the mid-teens by the middle of next week.

The forecast for Monday is around 5 degrees Celsius in both cities, with a further increase to the mid-teens by Thursday, providing much-needed relief.